The purpose of this article is to provide advice that can enhance your reading of Scripture in 2022. Oh, what a treasure trove of spiritual wealth God has placed at our fingertips! Now more than ever, may words be sweeter than honey and more valuable than gold.
Here are seven tips to help you read the Bible this year.
Tip #1: Read the Bible Like Any Other BookMy first suggestion is to adopt what I call “a better way to read the Bible.” Simply put, a better way to read the Bible is to read it like any other book, which means we read the whole thing. Think about the last time you read a book that you really enjoyed and that benefited you immensely. Did you read it all, or just a fraction? Have you read only a few sections, or did you start at the beginning and go through to the end. I’m saying the obvious, but to truly understand a book, isn’t it best to read it in its entirety?
Tip #2: Read the Bible Like Any Other BookMy second suggestion is that you pray… before, during and after you read the Bible. Here is one of my favorite Bible reading prayers: “Open my eyes that I may see the wonderful things of your law” (Psalm 119:18). The word “law” can mean “instruction” or “teaching”. The Word of God, like any other book, does not contain the teachings and teachings of God. While the Bible is to be read like any other book, it is also to be read like any other book, because there is no other book like the Bible. This is the only book written by God, and we need His supernatural help to understand it.
Tip #3: Get the Big PictureWhen reading the Bible, always keep in mind what Jane Wilkin so succinctly says, “The Bible is a book about God.” I take this to mean that the Bible is mainly either mainly About God. This is his autobiography. Until a few years ago, this was a new idea for me and a tough pill to swallow, so I know it might come as a surprise to some. But like life itself, the Bible is not primarily about us. Sure, we’re there too, and the Bible has a lot to say about you and me. But we are not focusing. God is Therefore, every time you read the Bible, ask the question, “What does this passage teach about God (the Father, the Son, and the Spirit)?” And then ask, “What is my reaction to this teaching about God?”
Tip #4: Write Your ThoughtsWrite the answers to those two questions in Tip #3. Maintain a Bible reading journal. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Record your thoughts in a word processing document or spiral notebook. I always learn and keep more when I interact with the material I’m reading. Don’t just read and pray. Whenever possible: read, pray and write. Even better: Pray, read, pray, write and pray.
Tip #5: Make a Commitment to Reading the Whole Bible (or at Least the New Testament)Yes, I’m going back to tip #1 – to understand any book, it’s best to read the whole thing. There are plenty of resources to help you do this. Bible reading plans are a good place to start, so search online and find a plan you like. So… go for it! By the grace of God and for the glory of God, this can be done.
Here’s how I’m accomplishing the task of reading the entire Bible. For many years I have been reading the entire New Testament in one year. This can be done by reading a chapter five days a week. Then, every two or three years, I read both the Old Testament and the New Testament for one year. I have been doing the same for the past 15 years, and it has worked well for me.
If you’re new to the Bible or if reading the entire book at the moment seems intimidating, why not start with the New Testament? However, ultimately, you will want to read both testaments; As you read and understand the Old Testament, your understanding of the New Testament will rise to a whole new level. And when was the last time you read only the last 25% of a book?
Tip #6: Get help to understand what you readNo matter how you read it, take advantage of the many wonderful resources that help you understand the Bible. God has given many gifts to the church. One of those gifts is knowledgeable Bible teachers who have spent years studying the Bible to help God’s people understand it.
The Bible is both a book and a book of books. As you read the Bible, take the time to get a detailed picture of each individual book. A good study Bible should have an introduction and an outline for each book, which you would do well to read and use to navigate that particular book. Another important aspect of the Bible is the variety of literary genres found in Scripture. Again, find a study Bible to help you learn what these styles are and how they differ.
Tip #7: Search Your Heart for the Answer to This Big QuestionFinally, let’s not forget the “why” question. You are reading this article because you want to read the Bible. This is such a good thing, or so it would seem. but why? What is your purpose? This is such an important question. It is a matter of life and death. I think about this a lot because I know that my reasons for reading the Bible haven’t always been pure.
How are you? How do you answer the question, “Why do I want to read the Bible?” The true believer reads the word of God primarily to know and glorify the word of God. There is a huge difference between reading for the purpose of knowing God and reading for the purpose of knowing God. The latter can be your motive, not the former.
Here’s to a gracious, God-blessed New Year, and may you get to know God better through reading His Word in 2022.