Check any of the following that you think are appropriate:
read a bit each day
read when you feel like it
read from Genesis 1:1 and keep going until you reach Revelation 22:21
read alongside published daily notes (e.g. Everyday with Jesus; Daily Bread; etc.)
read using a commentary (i.e. a more detailed and scholarly book of explanation)
stick a pin in and read where it lands
read a bit of New Testament and a bit of Old Testament on a 'pick and mix' basis
Now think about the ones you have checked, and decide which would be best for you.
A suggested way of going about it
Whichever approach you choose, there are some helpful ways to go about reading the bible.
set aside time and your own space [Why do you think this might be useful?]
pray first that God will speak through the bible reading [How important is this?]
read the passage
if you are using them, read the notes or commentary
look back at the passage in the light of what you have just read [Why read it again?]
ask yourself the following:
what does this passage say?
what did this passage mean to the people of its day?
how does this apply to me today?
is there something new to know or understand?
is there a rebuke or correction here for me?
is there some guidance here for me?
how might today be different because I have read this?
is there some new insight about God and His character for me here?
is there a promise from God here for me?
pray that you will be able to apply today what you have discovered
Practice makes perfect!
Now, apply the above method by reading/studying Luke 10:25-37 -
25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 26"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" 27He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" 28"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." 29But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' 36"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" 37The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
Any questions?
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