Get More Out of Your Bible Reading
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If you are like many people, you pick up the Bible to read every once in a while, but you don't seem to get much out of it. You have trouble understanding HUGE sections of it, but you just can't take the time to go to Bible college. Are you stuck in a cycle of trying to do the right thing by reading, but continually not understanding it? No way! In this article I will share some helpful tips that will allow you to begin reading the Bible with understanding instead of confusion.
To begin, remember that the different sections of the Bible have different rules for reading it based on what type of literature it is. As an example, you wouldn't read the New York Times the same way you would read a love poem would you? It's the same with the Bible. For instance, the Psalms are songs of praise sung by the ancient Israelites. You shouldn't read them like you would read I Samuel, which is a historical account of the kingdom of the Israelites. So, for starters, if it is history, read it like an historical account. If it is poetry, read it like poetry, with emotion. Everything in the Bible is true, but the writing style can differ greatly.
Next, make sure that you are reading everything in the right context. Don't just pick and choose what you want to read from different sections every day. If you read consistently chapter by chapter from the same section, the Bible will usually answer the questions that it prompts in the your mind. But sometimes you have to wait a chapter or so to get the answer. Stick with it. If you get confused, just keep reading. A solution is probably right around the corner.
Always make absolutely certain that you have a readable translation of the Bible. It is very important that you don't get tripped up dealing with words that are hard to understand. Two very readable modern translations are the NLT, New Living Translation, and the NIV, New International Version. These both provide great, reliable modern translations.
Now, go ahead and pick a Gospel, it doesn't matter which one, and begin to read. Ask yourself these questions as you read a chapter.
1) What is God saying or communicating to the people?
2) How are the people responding to him?
3) How is God responding to how the are reacting toward him?
4) Am I like or dislike the people in the passage?
As you consider your answers, have a journal or pad of paper to write on and a pen handy. Write down your thoughts, questions and comments about these questions. When you do this, you will find yourself digging into the story in brand new ways. This will lead you to thinking about your life situation and whether you are obeying God.
After you are done with this, to give you some variety, turn to the middle of your Bible and open to the book of Proverbs. Read one Proverb a day, corresponding to the day of the month. For instance, if the date is the 15th of the month, read Proverbs chapter 15. The Proverbs provide countless gems of wisdom for modern believers. However, always remember that the Proverbs were not written to be specific promises that we can rely on 100 percent of the time, but rather general life statements that usually turn out to be true, all things being equal. If you see the general wisdom of each Proverb, you will grow in your understanding of that type of wisdom literature in the Bible.
As you begin to impliment these steps, you will quickly begin to understand much larger portions of the Bible. Try this for thirty days and see what happens.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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