Every Christian is called to be a student of the Bible. Yet many Christians struggle with their Bible reading –either in forming the habit or in comprehending what they are reading. Many are like the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. When Phillip comes upon the man reading Isaiah he asks him, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The eunuch responds, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” (Acts 8:30-31). Christians need to understand that we have two principal guides in our reading of the scriptures. The first is the Holy Spirit which guides us into truth (John 16:13) and the second is the Church (1 Timothy 3:15), principally through its teaching and preaching ministry. So none of us are left on our own to try and discern and interpret the scriptures in isolation from the Holy Spirit or the Church. Thanks be to God! But many Christians still feel a bit frustrated at their experience with trying to read and apply the Bible in their daily life. So I’d like to offer a few suggestions which are under three headings: Approach, Read, Ask.
Approach the Bible as The Word of the Lord
For Christians to read the Bible better, we must first understand and believe what the Bible is. If we do not believe that what we are reading is indeed the very words of God then we will never read our Bibles with the proper perspective for growth and maturing as a disciple of Jesus. In the Fundamental Declarations of the Anglican Church in North America, the first article says, “We confess the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments to be the inspired Word of God, containing all things necessary for salvation, and to be the final authority and unchangeable standard for Christian faith and life.” (2019 Book of Common Prayer, 766). So we refuse to reduce the Bible from its unique position of authority. We also refuse the modern urge to treat some parts of the Bible as “really” the Word and other parts as “really not” the Word. Sometimes modern Christians wish to edit and modify the text, or minimize certain parts (“Oh, that’s just Paul. We don’t have to take him seriously.”) so it will be more in alignment with their pre-existing beliefs. This Bible you hold is, as has been affirmed for generations, The Word of Lord. Approach it as nothing less.
Approach the Bible with Prayer and Humility
If we really accept that the Bible is the Word of the Lord, then it naturally follows that we approach our reading of it with prayer and humility. We approach it prayerfully, asking for the Holy Spirit’s help in our reading so that we may, as the famous collect says, “read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest” what we are reading. (2019 Book of Common Prayer, Collect for the 2nd Sunday of Advent, 598). We ask for our minds to be quieted from distractions that we may hear the very voice of the Lord through his Word. We pray because we know that this Word has authority and it has power. Jesus himself used Scripture in his battle with Satan– and prevailed! (Luke 4). But we also approach the Bible with humility. We acknowledge that we stand under it in submission, not over it in evaluation. We read it with a desire to be fed, to be challenged, to be changed by the instruction it provides for us. It takes humility to allow God’s word to speak deeply to us, to convict us of sin, and to challenge us to greater love and devotion. It even takes humility to allow the Word of the Lord to comfort us. So we must approach it with prayer and humility.
Approach the Bible Systematically
To approach the Bible systematically means to avoid “dips and dives”. Don’t simply flip open the Bible at random (the fortune-cookie method) but either use a Bible reading plan or choose a book of the Bible to read. Read entire books of the Bible. If we want to improve our Bible reading, then let’s improve our methodology. For newer Christians I suggest one of the Gospels then one of the letters like Philippians or Galatians. Maybe you’ve been reading the Bible for a while, so it may be time to dig into Isaiah or Hebrews. Using a lectionary like the Daily Office lectionary (I like the 1662 Book of Common Prayer lections) can be really helpful for a systematic reading of the Bible. A Bible reading plan like the McCheyne plan can also put some structure to your reading. Any of these methods are helpful in developing your understanding of context and flow and how the book fits within the large scheme of salvation history.
Read the Bible Actively
Active reading is reading with a pen or highlighter in hand and marking those words or passages that stand out or things you want to commit to memory. Active reading helps with focus and encourages your brain to be looking for connections, principles, and important concepts. It is perfectly ok to mark up and write in your Bible. My Bible has highlights, marks, things written in the margin, sticky notes, and book marks all through it. I actually have several Bibles and I periodically change up what translation I’m using and what Bible plan I’m working through. As long as you are reading your Bible actively and systematically, there are many options to personalize your time.
Read the Bible for its Plain Meaning First
When you are reading the Bible watch for the plain and obvious meaning of the text. We have to be aware of over-allegorizing the text and losing its basic (and usually most profound) message. Let’s take for instance what may be the most famous Bible verse of all time, John 3:16. It says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, ESV) In this verse we see profound truths sitting right on the surface of the text. That one verse speaks of the love of God, the giving of His son Jesus, the critical nature of belief, and the result of eternal life. There’s a lot to ponder in that one verse! There is much the Bible teaches us that is accessible from the “top-level” of the text. It is great to dive into the depths of history and symbolism and Biblical languages, but only after getting a solid grasp on essential message of the Bible– which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Seeing who Jesus is, what He has done, the invitation to new life He offers, and the total grace by which we receive it, shapes our entire reading of the Bible. While there is much in Scripture that might puzzle us or perhaps require us to receive instruction to understand, this essential message of the Bible is evident by the one who reads it in recognition of its Divine authorship and authority, and is approaching it prayerfully and with humility.
Read the Bible with Assistance
While we seek the plain meaning first and foremost, having a good study Bible or commentary is also helpful. Study Bibles have notes on each verse or section that aid with understanding. While there are many editions of Study Bibles, I recommend the English Standard Version (ESV) Study Bible. If you are new to reading the Bible, the ESV is a great combination of faithful translation, academic rigor, and readability. The notes in the ESV Study Bible are excellent. People sometimes ask me what translations I recommend. My first answer is, “The one you will read is the best one!” But, my favorites (in no particular order) are the English Standard (ESV), the New American Standard (NASB), the Christian Standard (CSV), and the Legacy Standard (LSB). For an easy read, I’d suggest the New Living Translation (NLT). The ESV Scripture journals are also a great resource. They have the text of the Bible on the left page and lined paper on the right for note taking. I generally don’t recommend pure paraphrases like “The Message” for serious study, but they are helpful for first time readers. If you wish to dive further into your Bible study, I suggest getting a good, readable commentary on whatever book you are reading. I like the Bible Speaks Today series from InterVarsity Press and the Preaching the Word series from Crossway.
Ask these Three Questions of the Text
Finally, as a means of putting some study structure around your reading of the Bible, I suggest asking three questions of any text you are reading:
+ First, “What does this passage tell me about God (or Jesus, or the Holy Spirit)?” Examine the passage for ideas that express God’s character or His will.
+ Second, ask “What does this passage tell me about humanity (and/or myself)?” Look for statements that speak to the human condition, need, or duty.
+ Lastly, ask “Since I believe this is the Word of the Lord, how should I live in light of this passage?” Now we’re looking for an application. Does the passage call you to deeper trust in the Lord? To confessing and repenting of some particular sin? To reconcile with someone who wronged you? The possibilities are literally endless.
Our Bible reading should never be only for information, but for transformation. Allow the Word of the Lord to speak to your mind and heart and see what our God will do through it in your life!
Conclusion
In the first homily in the First Book of Homilies, one of the formularies of the Anglican Church, we read, ““For a Christian there can be nothing either more necessary or profitable than the knowledge of Holy Scripture, since in it is contained God’s true word, setting forth his glory, and also our duty.” (Gatiss, Lee, The First Book of Homilies, 33).
Nothing. Nothing more necessary or profitable than the knowledge of Holy Scripture.
My prayer is that all who profess to love and follow the Lord Jesus will be diligent students of the Bible. I pray these ideas will bless you as you seek to go deeper in your reading of His holy Word.