How to Read Scripture
If you’re here right now that means you’re interested in learning more about reading and understanding Scripture. That’s awesome! God’s Word is alive and can be used to bring life for ourselves and others. Here are some steps on how to read and understand the Word of God, and even some tips on where to start:
Read the whole story of the Bible: We must learn to read the whole story of Scripture from beginning to end. The Bible is God’s story of redemption, the revelation of Himself and His plan for the world. All those stories and all those characters are parts of the whole, characters in the drama, but none of them are the point. They all point to the point: Jesus Christ came, lived a perfect life, died an innocent death to save sinners and kill death and sin, and will one day return to right all the wrongs. When we understand that there is a whole narrative, even those parts start to make sense in their context. When you're wondering how to read the Bible, it's un understanding the greater story being told.
Look for Jesus in all parts of the Bible: Every page of Scripture points to Jesus. It all fits together to point to Him and to glorify Him and depict Him and reveal Him. When we read the whole story and see Jesus throughout the pages, we see Him afresh, not as whatever preconceived notions we had. We see Him as more than a teacher, more than a healer, more than a model character. We see the breadth of Jesus from the man who sat with children and loved widows to the sword-wielding King of justice and glory. Read the Bible to see more of Jesus in everything.
As you read the Bible, get to know Jesus: Make it a regular thing. Go back to the Gospels over and over again. God’s word is inexhaustible and can always deepen your understanding and belief. We don’t limit ourselves in conversation with our loved ones because we “talked to them already” and neither should we limit ourselves in the reading of the Bible because we “read it already.”
As you read the Bible, don't shy away from the hard stuff: How do we read and understand the hard stuff in the Bible? We must read it and consider it. We must be willing to wrestle with it. We have to look at it not as a bunch of isolated incidents and texts that might be problematic but as part of the whole. If we are going to read the whole story of the Bible and look for how it all points to Jesus, then we need to see how the hard stuff fits in. It is all there on purpose because it all paints a picture of God. And just because we don’t understand all parts of the Bible doesn’t mean we can reject it.
Don't read the Bible as a set of rules, but rather, as a book: So many people lose touch with the heart of Scripture because for so long they have approached it under the rule of law. “You must read your Bible every day.” Reading your Bible every day is a great thing, but within its very pages it describes how the law introduces us to sin. When we make rules out of things, we tend to take the life out of them, no matter how good they are.Distance yourself from the legalistic guilt of reading the Bible as law. That robs it of its wonder and steals the joy from your heart. It is so rich and deep; read it to discover and wonder!
Start small: Sometimes it’s helpful to use children’s books, commentaries, Bible study material, or other books written about the Bible to give you greater insight. There’s no shame in seeking additional help to understand parts of Scripture. Bible Study Tools, The Bible Project are great resources.
Pray for the Spirit's help when you read the Bible: We have a helper and a teacher. Jesus even said we would be better off if He left because this helper is so amazing. Really? We’re better off without Jesus on earth with us? Yes! Because the Holy Spirit dwells in every Christian, moving us toward being more like Jesus, teaching our minds, and softening and convicting our hearts. So beg the Spirit to open your eyes when you read. Plead with the Spirit to give you the inspiration to read. And He will. Maybe not in a flash, but He will. And as you begin reading the Bible, delving deeper into God’s Word, you will find that the Spirit and God’s message in the Bible will change you.
(Taken from https://www.biblestudytools.com/)
Bible Reading Plans:
“Where do I start?”
That’s a great question! You can utilize one of the Bible reading plans below or start in the Gospel of John. The best way to answer that question is to start somewhere!
No matter what you do or how you do it, seek God. Sometimes we do the right things, but we leave God out. Beginning to read Scripture is a huge step and one that’s truly life changing, but if you read the Bible but don’t seek God through it, you’re missing the point. Read the love letters of God and fall more deeply in love with your creator and always know that we are here to help walk through any questions you may have!