7 WAYS TO READ THE SCRIPTURES
- WITH A PURPOSE
Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
While you “search the scriptures” do it with a specific purpose. For example while I’m reading right now I’m trying to get the main thought and write it above each chapter.
Sometimes I try to find Jesus on every page and highlight the verse with red with a brief description on why it reminds me of Jesus Christ.
For example while you read the scriptures start in Genesis with a certain topic in mind that you want to learn about. Maybe you want to find all the verses about prayer. Keep that topic in mind as you read and search the scriptures for that topic.
If you are searching the scriptures as you read you will stay more focused and your mind will not drift off while it continues to read.
- WITH PROPER ATTITUDE
Exo 24:7 And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.
When you read the scriptures don’t approach it with an attitude of correction. You approach it with the attitude that it is going to correct you.
Approach the Bible with the attitude that everything God says is right and what you think is only right if it lines up with the word of God.
Amo 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Sometimes we have temptations in our flesh and the Bible will kick them. Always take the word of God and let it have preeminent place over your sin. Use the word of God as a mirror to fix your sin issues you have on any given day.
Jas 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Jas 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
Jas 1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
Jas 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
- WITH PRAYER
Psa 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
Before I read the Bible I ask the LORD to give me wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. I pray that God will make me have the right motive for anything I do for him. I pray that he will get the glory in everything and not give me any glory. I pray for God to open up his word for me and give me things that he hasn’t even given anyone else. I don’t pray this to get a one up on other people. I just want the maximum of what I can get out of that reading time.
Pray that the LORD will “being all things to your remembrance” so that you can make cross references while you read. Sometimes I’ll be reading something and then I’m reminded of another verse so I search where it is at with E-sword or a concordance and write that reference down.
Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
- WITH PRONUNCIATION
Pro 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
If every word of God is good and profitable than it would profit you to read the NAMES and PLACES in the Bible that are hard to pronounce. Try your best to pronounce them. Listen to audio Bibles and look up the proper pronunciation so that when you read the names and places can flow off your tongue easier. I don’t know anyone that can pronounce all the names. Just sound it out and try your best.
- With Pen and Pad.
You can find Jesus Christ saying things like..
Mat 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth..
While you are reading your Bible and you find a word or passage that you don’t understand you should write it down on a piece of paper and figure out what that meaneth.
Search the word through the scriptures to find the definition the Bible way. You can also get help from Webster’s 1828 dictionary. You can find online commentaries that might help. Just let the scripture give the final say so.
- With PEOPLE On Your Mind
Getting knowledge in the scriptures shouldn’t be just to make yourself smarter. There are people out there with questions that you need to answer.
1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
I don’t just need to know things about the Bible. I need to KNOW THE BIBLE. I need to know what every book is about, I need to know the stories, I need to know how to rightly divide the scriptures, I need to know the doctrine, and especially salvation inside and out.
As you read the word remember you will eventually be asked a question about that particular thing your reading. You’ll be surprised what lost people and saved people also will ask when you put yourself out there in that situation.
It is a bad testimony when the lost man knows more scripture than a 15 year believer.
Have people on your mind. Make the verse if you think it might give comfort to someone in a certain situation.
Write the words of God on Facebook so that someone can see it.
Ecc 11:1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
Psa 68:11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.
My main burden for reading the Bible is learning what I can so that I can get the saints interested in the scriptures.
- With PRESERVATION In Mind
Psa 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Psa 12:7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever
Don’t forget that God allowed many men to die and suffer Shame so that you could have the word of God. Many men died so that you could have freedom to read the words without fear.
Many Christians have died for what the word of God says.
2Ti 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Many Christians even today are dying because they choose the word of God over man. If you realize that not every saint has the privilege of reading the words without fear as you do than it should make you get overcome with appreciation.
You have a 24/7 opportunity to pull out the word of God and read it. You can read it when you get up, you can read it on your break, you can read it at the doctors office, you can read it at church, you can read it as your hobby, you can read it before you go to sleep. You can listen to Alexander Scourby as you sleep.
Remember the things that have happened so that God could preserve his words for you to have them in a book in your living room with a premium lambskin, calfskin, goatskin, cowhide , Buffalo leather cover, thumb indexed, chapter and verse marked, wide margin, gold gilded, raised hubs, gold stamped, name imprinted, authorized version of the holy scriptures.
Don’t just let it collect dust on the shelf. Pick it up and read it. Don’t waste your life.
