How should I read the Bible?

I want to learn as much as possible from the Bible and let God speak to me through His words, but what is the best approach?  There are plans out there, and even Bibles that guide you through reading it thoroughly throughout the year. Is that the best plan? First, let’s think about what the Bible is and is not.  It is unlike a novel where you start on the first page and continue until the last page without skipping around. A book begins by setting the stage, building the plot, maybe has a twist or turn in the middle, and then wraps up the story.

On the other hand, the Bible is a collection of books written by different people over a long time. The books are not in chronological order. If you want to read it as it happened, you must jump around a bit. It is more set up in genres. The key is to figure out what works for you that will keep you engaged and interested along the way. Some books are monotonous and hard to understand and get through. Here are some ideas of what to read based on genre.

The gospels tell the story of Jesus Christ. I like the idea of reading a chapter of Luke each day starting on December 1st.  Since there are 24 chapters, it brings you to Christmas, where you can celebrate His birth. After reading the gospels, you may want to follow up with Acts since it talks about the early days of the church. If you want to learn wise sayings, read Proverbs. You can pick up some tidbits that are easy to apply to your life.

If you like poetry, the Psalms are an excellent place to get a daily dose. But what if you want more of a  history lesson? That is where you would start at the beginning, Genesis, and read through the Old Testament. You will find it in Ecclesiastes, Job, and Song of Solomon if you want more wisdom.

That is a sampling of where to look for certain things, but how do you read it? What is the best approach? Remember, it is God’s word. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” Be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit in your heart as you read the Bible.  It is good that you are reading it, but unless you let it change your heart and refresh your mind, it will not do you any good.

Pray that He will open your heart and your mind to what you are reading. Have a conversation with God as you are reading His words, and listen to how He responds to you. There are many translations available. You want to find one that is easy to understand, but I like reading numerous versions to get a better feel for what it is saying.

I like devotionals because it gets me thinking more about a particular Scripture verse. Do a self-evaluation and see your shortcomings and how God is moving you closer to Him. So, if I return to my initial question, “What is the best way to read the Bible?” the answer is, “It is personal.” Your relationship with God is personal; He will talk to you differently than others. Your approach to reading the Bible may be similar to that of others, but make it personal. Make it work for you.