7 Bible Reading Tips for 2022. The purpose of this article is to provide advice that can enhance your reading of the Bible in 2022. Oh, what a treasure trove of spiritual richness God has placed within our reach! The word is now more than ever sweeter than honey and more precious than gold.
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| 7 Bible Reading Tips for 2022 |
Here are seven tips to help you read the Bible this year.
Tip 1: Read the Bible like any other book
My first suggestion is that you adopt what I call a "better way of reading the Bible." Simply put, the best way to read the Bible is to read it like any other book, which means we read everything. Think about the last time you read a book that you really enjoyed and benefited a lot from. Did you read it all or just part of it? Did you only read a few sections, or did you start from the beginning and move to the end? I am stating the obvious, but to really understand the book, wouldn't it be better to read it completely?
Tip 2: Read the Bible like any other book
My second suggestion is to pray...before, during and after reading the Bible. Here is one of my favorite prayers for reading the Bible: “Open my eyes to see the wonder in your law” (Psalm 119:18). The word 'law' can mean 'education' or 'education'. The Word of God, like any other book, contains God's guidance and teaching. While the Bible should be read like any other book, it should also be read like any other book, because there is no other book like the Bible. It is the only book written by God, and we need his miraculous help to understand it.
Tip 3: Get the Big Picture:
When reading the Bible, always keep in mind what Jane Wilkin says succinctly, "The Bible is a book about God." I take this to mean that the Bible is primarily or primarily about God. It is his autobiography. Until a few years ago, this was a new idea to me and a hard-to-swallow pill, so I know it can come as a surprise to some. But like life itself, the Bible is not primarily about us. Sure, we are there too, and the Bible has a lot to say about you and me. But we are not the focus. God is. So, every time you read the Bible, ask the question, “What does this passage teach about God (Father, Son, and Spirit)?” Then ask, "What is my response to these teachings about God?"
Tip 4: Write your thoughts
Write your answers to these two questions in Tip #3. Keep a Bible reading journal. This doesn't have to be fancy. Record your thoughts in a word processing document or spiral notebook. I always learn and keep more as I interact with the material I read. Don't just read and pray. Whenever possible: read, pray and write. Even better: praying, reading, praying, writing, and praying.
Tip 5: Make a commitment to read the entire Bible (or at least the New Testament)
Yes, I come back to tip #1 - to understand any book, it is better to read everything. Resources are plentiful to help you do this. Bible reading plans are a good place to start, so search online and find what you want. Then... go for it! By the grace of God and for the glory of God this can be done.
Here is how I approached the task of reading the entire Bible. For several years I have been reading the entire New Testament within a year. This can be done by reading one chapter a day, five days a week. Then, every two or three years, I read both the Old and New Testaments within a year. This is how I've been doing it for the past 15 years, and it really worked for me.
If you are new to the Bible or if reading the entire book seems too intimidating right now, why not start with the New Testament? In the end, though, you'll want to read both Testaments; Your understanding of the New Testament will rise to a new level as you read and understand the Old Testament. And when was the last time you only read the last 25% of a book?
Tip #6: Get help understanding what you're reading
No matter how you read it, take advantage of the many great resources that can help you understand the Bible. God has given the church many gifts. One such gift is knowledgeable Bible teachers who have spent years studying the Bible so that they can help God's people understand it.
The Bible is one book and a book of books. When you read the Bible, take your time to get the big picture of each book individually. A good study bible should have an introduction and outline for each book, which is the best-read and used to navigate that specific book. Another important aspect of the Bible is the diversity of literary genres found in the Bible. Again, look for a Bible study book to help you learn what these types are and how they differ.
Tip #7: Search your heart for an answer to this huge question
Finally, let's not forget the "why" question. You are reading this article because you want to read the Bible. This is a good thing, or so it seems. but why? What is your motive? This is an important question. It's a matter of life or death. I think about this a lot because I know my reasons for reading the Bible have not always been pure.
what about 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 God of the Word. There is a big difference between reading to know God and reading to know God. The latter may be your motivation, not the former.