Suggestions for Studying God's Word

Many people resolve at the beginning of a year, "I am going to read the entire Bible this year! And they make a schedule to read the correct number of pages per day and then begin reading.  By the end of January, they are behind and give up.

Here are suggestions for making Bible study a way of life for you.

1.  Read your Bible for the purpose of knowing God better as your Father rather than reading to increase your knowledge about the Bible. How do we understand the Father better and improve our relationship with Him?  By communicating with HIm - praying, reading the Bible to hear His words, having a quiet time, journaling and fasting.

2. Select a Bible that is right for you.  If you are a beginning student of the Bible, choose a study Bible that gives a good chronological overview of the entire Bible. 

 For example, put it in perspective with approximate dates:  

• Abraham was called about 2000 BC
• Joseph and his family in Egypt about 1800 BC
• Moses lead the Exodus about 1400 BC
• David was king of Israel about 1000 BC
• Judah fell about 575 BC
• Jesus was born about 2 BC
• The church was established about 30 AD
• Jerusalem was destroyed about 70 AD

Select a translation that you like.  I prefer ESV, NIV or NKJ.

3. Make your reading plan. This year, I began with Revelation (to read the ending first) because I am completing an online course from Dallas Seminary on Revelation. 

Then  I read Matthew, followed by:

• Mark and Luke together because they cover similar material
• Acts, to learn how the Holy Spirit led the early church
• 1,2 Peter. Gospel to the Jews
• Paul's books.  Spread of the gospel to non Jews.
• James.  Pastor of the church at Jerusalem
• Jude.  Half brother of Jesus
• 1,2,3 John
• John

I will then read the Old Testament as written.

4. Find a place and time that are good for you to be alone and read, pray, think, and journal.  For me, I like an upstairs bedroom with a comfortable chair and reading light early in the morning. 

5. Finally, read with God's Mission in mind.  The entire Bible, from Genesis 3 to the second from the last chapter of Revelation, describes God's Mission to reconcile a lost world to Himself. Let God, your Father, speak to you through His word so that you understand the work He has called, shaped and set you to do in your marketplace.