It’s not always an easy thing to start. We may get started, get busy for a day or two, and have a hard time picking back up where we left off. We may have a hard time picking it up to begin with. We might even pick it up and read daily but not even comprehend a thing that we’ve read. Despite the struggles, reading God’s Word is not just a foundational part of Christian living, but it is essential — a necessity — to walk with Christ.
The Bible is so much more than a book. It’s the very Word of God and it is capable of transforming each and every facet of our lives. It is the rule and guide by which we should live. It is the sword of the spirit. It is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path. It is alive. It is quick. It is powerful. It is sharper than any twoedged sword. It is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. We must have God’s Word.
There’s honestly so much that can be said about God’s Word and why we need to read it, study it, and apply it. But, to sum it all up, we cannot know the word in all its power, truth, and abilities without first knowing the Word. There is a huge difference in knowing the word and knowing the Word. Anyone can quote scripture, anyone can commit it to memory—even the enemy. So we must draw closer to God through reading His Word in order to strengthen ourselves against the evil that we encounter daily. In order to know the truth and identify that which is not of God. In order to stand when all else has fallen. In order to remind ourselves that God is for us. In order to overcome evil with good. In order to strengthen the brethren. Above all, and as I’ve already said, to draw closer to our Father. We must have God’s Word.
Where Do We Start?
The first step in reading God’s Word is to start. The longer that we wait to open God’s Word, the longer we wait for blessing, for revelation, and for guidance. There have been times when I’ve felt overwhelmed by trying to figure out what to read in The Bible, trying to figure out what it means, and many other things. Honestly, picking up God’s Word can seem intimidating, especially in the beginning. Even so, it is important for us to remember that we must approach God’s Word with reverence, respect, desire, and expectation. When we approach The Bible with these things, we alter our atmosphere, we place our heart in a posture of reception, and we’re letting God know that we’re ready for what He is wanting to impart unto us through His Word.
So, how do we take this approach to reading God’s Word? Through prayer. Before jumping into reading The Bible, I almost always open It, place my hands on It, and tell the Lord that I surrender to and praise Him, I thank Him for His Word, I ask Him to clear my mind and help me to concentrate, I let Him know that I want to read His Word and be receptive to whatever it is that He’d have me to know, and then I begin to read. I find that when I do this before reading, I am more receptive, more productive, and more excited to learn than when I don’t. Then, when I’m finished, I try to take a few moments to meditate and think about what I’ve read.
Finding a quiet place that’s as free of distractions as possible is always a good start as well. I don’t like reading in the presence of my cell phone or such devices that can draw my attention away from God’s Word. Obviously, it’s okay to use our devices as study tools. I use mine often, but when it starts becoming a distraction, we’ve got to put it away. The more distracted we become, the less we’ll take away from our time with God.
Trying to figure out where in The Bible to start reading is another obstacle that we can encounter. I almost always start with a Psalm or a Proverb, then I might go somewhere else. I usually have a reading plan of some sort that I try to follow each day but regardless, I always allow the Lord to send me where He’d have me go in His Word. I’ve found that the more I read, the more I wake up with a scripture on my mind, so that’s usually where I go after (sometimes before) my time in Psalms or Proverbs. There’s really no specific order or way to do it, as long as you do it and are receptive.
Bible Reading Plans
Reading plans are great to help with getting in a routine or staying organized. Relying on these plans, though, can, after a while, feel like we’re only opening our Bible in order to fulfill the reading plan and check that box. When following our reading plans begin to feel like this, we have to readjust the way that we approach God’s Word, as mentioned earlier. If you feel like God is wanting you to go somewhere in His Word that’s not on your plan, follow His guidance and return to the plan later. We cannot be too consumed in checking boxes that we forget to surrender to His leading–another reason why it’s a good idea to begin in prayer. Nevertheless, if you’re like me and need a little nudge from time-to-time, reading plans are a great tool and a way to grow and expose ourselves to God’s Word. Also, remember to take your time through your plan. Study what you read. Notice each and every detail. Notice every word, every phrase, every punctuation mark. Don’t leave anything at all out of your reading. Missed details are missed revelations. Once you’ve concluded your planned reading, ask the Lord if there’s anything else that He wants you to see before moving on.
When using a Bible Reading Plan, always stay aware that the plans may not always be chronological or in order. You may need to read another chapter of another book to place the planned text into context. That’s why it’s a great idea to use a Bible that has cross references.
I’ve linked some reading plans that I’ve found to be manageable and useful below. There are also countless Bible reading plans on The Bible App that are free and accessible. A lot of the reading plans on The Bible App are topical, so you can find plans that are tailored to specific things like worry and fear, building faith, etc. Whatever plan that you decide to use, make sure you remember why you’re using that plan–to grow closer to God through His Word.
Don’t Stop At Reading
James 1:22 says: “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” We cannot read God’s Word with the expectation of change within ourselves if we don’t do what God’s Word says for us to do. All of the time that we spend reading and trying to understand will be in vain if we don’t obey.
We’re not perfect and we make mistakes, we all know that. God knows our faults and our shortcomings. But we have to identify those through reading His Word, becoming sensitive to the things of the Spirit, and surrendering them to God. That’s how we grow.
Just Start
Like I mentioned previously, the first step in reading God’s Word is to start. Whatever you think might work for you, do it. God gave us His Word not that it would be neglected, but that we might grow closer to Him through digesting it.
THE WORD OF GOD IS THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT.
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