How To Read Your Bible

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and it teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16)

Reading your Bible can be so difficult. I know, because it is difficult for me. Not because the Bible is old, huge, or boring. It may be big, but it is not boring or old. But Satan makes it look that way. The Bible is God’s word. It is His spoken word. The last thing that Satan wants is for us to actually read it. Here are Satan’s tactics when it comes to reading your Bible:

1. He tries to make you think it is old, boring, too big, and it will teach you nothing. (Those are all false) He hopes that if you think these things, then you won’t even open your Bible. If you refuse to listen to these first lies and open your Bible to read it anyway, then this is what he does next:

2. He reminds you of everything you need to do that day. He whispers in your ear, “Go watch a movie. You forgot to call your friend, go call your friend now. You need to get ready.” Everything you can’t remember, you will remember when you open your Bible. Satan wants you to be distracted and he doesn’t want you to read God’s word. If you resist these lies and open your Bible to read it anyway, then he will try other tactics like this:

3. He will make you too busy. Funny how when you want to read your Bible, all of a sudden something comes up. He will lull you to sleep or you will decide to sleep a little longer in the morning instead of waking up to meet with Jesus first thing. If you refuse to listen to all of the devil’s lies and you open your Bible to read it anyway, you will be so blessed. Satan wants you to miss out on these blessings. So refuse his lies, and enjoy God’s blessings.

Satan’s tactics are the same and he tries to do everything he can to make you not read your Bible. Listen, I want to teach you how to read your Bible.

Say the cutest boy in your class writes you a love letter. It is a whole two pages, front and back. Well, first of all, boys don’t write just any girl a love letter, and second, a two page, front and back, love letter. But this boy wrote on to you. Only you. Be honest, would you just shake your head and not read it? No way! You would rip it open as fast as you can and savor every single word. You wouldn’t even want to wait to read it. And then you might read it over and over and over. Why would you read it so many times? Because this boy is writing you his undying love for you. It makes you feel loved, accepted, special, and noticed. He noticed you. He picked you. And he wrote into words how he loves you.

God did this for you too. But His love letter is a whole huge book. Every book in the Bible is a letter. They are letters written so personally to you and to me. God expresses His unconditional love for you and for me. This is His love letter. So why would you want to put this amazing love letter on the shelf to collect dust? "…He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6) Now, go get your Bible. Go pick it up, wherever you might have left it and come back and finish reading this.

The first thing you need to do before you read is pray. Be honest and ask God for help. He loves it when His precious children ask Him for help. He just wants to scoop you up into His loving arms and help you. Pray something like this:

Father, I want to come and sit at your feet. I want to hear from You and learn more about You. But I need Your help. Please take away any and every distraction from me. Help me to focus on You and teach me what You desire. I surrender this time to You. Soften my heart and open my mind to what You have to say. Thanks.

Now pick out a book in the Bible to read through. There are 66 really good books to pick from. I recommend reading each book from the beginning to the end. For example, read the whole book of Matthew or James or 1 Samuel and then 2 Samuel… Grab a pen and a journal and write down the verses that speak out most to you. Talk to God about what you read. He is right there. You can go to Him and talk to Him just like you talk to your best friend. Try to memorize a new verse every week. God desires to speak to you and He desires to shape your life. He already knows everything about you, now learn more about Him. "You will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:12-13)