Don’t Just Read the Bible!

By: Fred Reid

         If you read the title and thought this one was about applying what you read or making the Bible an example for your everyday life well then the jokes on you! Lol this one is actually about HOW to read the Bible, or at least some stuff that works for me! There’s so much good stuff in the Bible that once you start to read it you’ll be consumed in it! However it’s really easy to just stay on the surface of stories and miss a lot of the morals and lessons and revelation if you “read it like a library book”, so to make sure you don’t view reading the good book as a chore here are a few tips.

Read slowly and digest  

            Most of the scriptures have much, MUCH deeper meanings so after reading a few verses, or a chapter take time to make sure you understand what you’ve read. Think about how it can relate to a specific situation, what type of solution it brings. You can ask why; to make sure you understand. Why would this be included? Why is this important? Think of other similar scriptures that are related. This may cause you to re-read a lot of passages but at least you will have a good understanding of what you read; which I find makes it easier to memorize and apply it! Also, for those of you struggling to memorize, it helps to take notes or write down the scripture you have targeted, you remember 60% of what you read/hear AND write so use that you your advantage.

Make it real!          

            Don’t just read the story to get it over with, experience the story. Take like breaks and put yourself in the situation. How would you feel if Jesus told you lets go to the other side but then He fell asleep and there was a hurricane taking place? What would you say if taking a stand and being bold for God got you placed in a Lion’s den? Furthermore PAY ATTENTION TO TIME LAPSES IN STORIES! There’s a lot to be gained from a story by noticing how long it took for something to happen. It all seems to happen at once cuz its all right there on the page; but often there are days or months between verses. There’s a big difference between begin healed immediately versus being healed as you went on your way. Even if you have to read the time schedule and come back to that story after that time has passed to make it real do it! I don’t know if that was clear ssoo for example, when Paul was blinded and didn’t eat nor drink for 3 days I read up to that part of the story then didn’t come back and finish it for 3 days just to keep it on my mind that he couldn’t see and hadn’t eaten for all that time just to see what kind of stuff goes through your head. (yes it wasn’t as severe for me cuz I was still eating and stuff but judge me not lol)

In any case, take your time and understand what you read and make the story real by putting yourself in it and make the time schedule real/relatable and the bible will do way more for you than it is now! And when you are confused or don’t understand something pray for clarity and ask a respected pastor, minister, deacon, Christian friend of yours but ask somebody!! God’s people perish for lack of knowledge so get some!

Over and Out J