How many ways can we read the Bible?

Reading the Bible is one of the “Spiritual Disciplines” we are called to do as Christians.  In I Timothy 4:13, Paul instructs Timothy to devote himself to the public reading of scripture. Wouldn’t it be great to do more public reading of scripture?  (Hey! We could do a Zoom together, taking turns reading scripture out loud!)

Here are three ways I approach reading the Bible: Reading for Information, Study, and Devotionally.

Reading for Information

We need to find out what it says.  We need to know about God and all the people who wrote or had their stories told.  We need facts, events, history.  After all, how can we say that we believe the Bible is the Word of God unless we know what is in it?

When I read a non-fiction book to learn something new, I often do a “read-through the first time”.  I want to find out what is in each chapter. Then I make notes or turn down pages to remind myself of what I want to revisit on a second reading.  There are a bunch of places in the Bible I want to revisit. And revisit. And revisit.

Studying Scripture It’s in the revisiting of passages of the Bible that we begin to study scripture.  

“What did that say?”  “Why does it say that?”  

“When did that happen in history?”  

“Sacrificing children??  Who were those Canaanites?”

We can join a Bible Study group that looks carefully at a book of the Bible, and maybe even use a printed or recorded study done by a well-known Bible teacher.  

We can go a little deeper and read several commentaries on the Bible by different scholars who may give us some insight into a specific area.

We might study a particular genre of the Bible, such as Wisdom Literature, Hebrew poetry, Apocalyptic writing, or History.

We could even delve into Hermaneutics—the art and science of biblical interpretation.

There really is probably no end to how we can study the Bible.  Some really thick books have been written on Doctrine and Theology.  But don’t be put off—God has wonderful things to teach us through study of the Bible.  Paul told Timothy that all scripture is inspired by God, good for teaching, correcting, and training. (II Tim 3:16) It can be very inspiring and fun!

Reading the Bible Devotionally

A third way to read the Bible is Devotional Reading.  In this form of reading we are trying not only to read for information and study the word closely, but to read in our “right brain”, with our heart and spiritual ears open to hear the Spirit speak as we read.  

You may have had an experience in reading scripture when the words suddenly leaped off the page and made such an impact that you spent the next week going over and over the passage.  It felt personal, as though God were trying to speak to you out loud.  And in fact, He probably was!  Jesus, after all, IS the Word of God (see John 1:1), and Martin Luther teaches that any time we read scripture, the Holy Spirit is present in that reading (the Illumination of Scripture).  It’s good, of course, to have an idea ahead of time about interpretation, context and some linguistic tips, but if God is really speaking to us, we need to listen.  It might also be helpful to check in with someone who knows a little more than we do answer our questions about that experience.

Hebrews 4:12 says:  “12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” 

Wow! That is when God gets personal with us!  It’s a good time to go to prayer about what we hear and feel.  Reading a book called a “devotional” that points us to God is good, but reading God’s actual words devotionally can be even richer and more valuable.

In Psalm 111, David tells us that everyone who delights in God studies His works.  That, of course, includes His written word, the Bible.  Where else can we go to learn about His covenants, His precepts, His commandments... and His Son?

Happy Reading!

Psalm 111

1 Praise the Lord!

I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart,

In the company of the upright and in the assembly.

2  Great are the works of the Lord;

They are studied by all who delight in them.

3 Splendid and majestic is His work,

And His righteousness endures forever.

4 He has made His wonders to be remembered;

The Lord is gracious and compassionate.

5 He has given food to those who fear Him;

He will remember His covenant forever.

6 He has made known to His people the power of His works,

In giving them the heritage of the nations.

7 The works of His hands are truth and justice;

All His precepts are sure.

8 They are upheld forever and ever;

They are performed in truth and uprightness.

9 He has sent redemption to His people;

He has ordained His covenant forever;

Holy and awesome is His name.

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;

A good understanding have all those who do His commandments;

His praise endures forever.