Pastor Marc Likins
Rule #1: Understand the Bible is a library.
The word Bible comes from the Greek word biblia, which means books. So, the Holy Bible is like the holy library, and each book of the Bible is like a book in and of itself, with different characteristics. Arranging them by their genres and understanding their characteristics helps us read the books in a more comprehensive way.
Each book has:
Author: Who wrote this? Words have different meanings depending on who they are coming from.
Audience: Who are they writing to? Is this book to an individual, a church, a group of churches? Often, the title tells you the author or the audience.
Provenance: Where are they writing from? Was this book written in a prison cell, on the island of Patmos, in Ephesus?
Purpose: Why are they writing? See some examples:
Genre: What type of literature is this? You would never read a text book the same way you read a novel. Why? They are different genres of literature. The library of Scripture is the same way. There are historical books, poetry, personal letters, and so much more in the library.
Rule #2: Don’t overcomplicate it.
There are people who are always looking for a hidden meaning or secret message. The Bible is not a code to crack or an allegory of a higher truth. Jesus and his disciples are always saying, “It is written….”— a literal interpretation, not an allegory. As the old saying goes, “If the plain sense makes common sense, seek no other sense.”
Method #1: Reading/Hearing
The Bible used to be consumed in large portions, in one sitting, during public readings. Nowadays, the Bible is not often received this way. But, there is something extremely beneficial about reading or listening to the Bible in large portions at once, without many breaks or additional studying. Go up on a hill and read the book of Proverbs before a major decision or fall asleep to the scriptures in your ears — consuming the Word in large quantities is never wasted.
Method #2: Meditating/Praying
This way, we can glean small portions of the Bible in an unhurried, contemplative, prayerful manner. Open the Bible and read it slowly, praying for God to speak to your heart. Come to the Bible without an agenda and just sit with the Word to let it speak to you and shape you. Reading and rereading, over and over, can bring new revelations and questions.
Ask yourself:
What does this teach me about the nature and character of God?
How does this point back to Jesus?
What part of my reading stands out to me? Why?
Is there a promise to claim?
Is there a lesson to learn?
Is there a blessing to enjoy?
Is there a command to obey?
Is there a sin to confess?
Is there a new thought to carry with me?
Method #3: Studying
Studying is an act of closely analyzing the text, context, history, grammar, and implications. Doing an intentional deep dive into the text — understanding the author, audience, purpose, and genre, noticing each jot and tittle — will give you a new perspective. Analyze the word choices and read commentaries, whether it be on a specific topic or book. This method takes additional time and work but rewards you with a richer understanding of the text. If you would like to know a little about some of my favorite Bible study tools, you can check it out here.
Method #4: Memorizing
Committing specific pieces of scripture to your memory is another method for practical Bible intake. Memorization is the backbone of our Bible knowledge. We can ooze scripture when we know it so intimately that we hold the text in our minds as well as our hearts.
Note, devotionals do not have a place on this list. They are not bad, but they are not the same as getting directly into the Word. Overly depending on devotionals will leave you spiritually thin — like only eating the spiritual dessert.
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