#Online bible reading how to

Instead of trying to do it all (and usually doing nothing), ask God for just one positive step to take today. And when people feel overwhelmed, they get stuck. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the endless “do’s and don’ts” of Scripture.

The Bible is a large book, and Christians tend to see all the things they should do and expect transformation immediately. Taking biblical truth and turning it into action is how we become disciples. God wants us to read Scripture to learn the truth and to apply it to our lives. In my experience, what I hear during this time is often more comforting or more convicting than my own thoughts would be. What comes to your mind or your heart? Write it down.

Sometimes it is helpful to read a commentary or study notes at the bottom of the Bible and make notes about the author, time-period, and context of the passage.Ĭlose your eyes, be still, and listen. If you feel skeptical about whether you were hearing from God, consider if the message lines up with what you know of God’s character and the relevant circumstances in your life. Try asking God specifically what He wants you to take from what you read. God, what message do you have for me in this passage? Here are three simple questions you can ask God to help you engage with and apply the Bible in a fresh way. If viewing Bible study as a conversation with your loving Father sounds like something you want more of in your life, I have three simple questions you can ask God to help you engage with and apply the Bible in a fresh way. You hastily read a chapter and spout off a quick prayer to God about your day, but you don’t leave your “time with God” feeling like you connected with Him at all. Maybe, like me, you’ve felt that Bible reading is something to check off your Christian chore list. It illuminated what I was reading, and it transformed my heart in the process. I followed his steps by reading a small passage of Scripture, using a pen to mark words and phrases that stood out to me, and listening for God to speak to me about what I could learn from those words.ĭay after day, God, through the Holy Spirit, would impress something upon me. This was the beginning of an exciting new adventure for me.

#Online bible reading how to

Click to TweetĪ few years later, as I sat in a healing-discipleship class at my local church and listened to a pastor explain how to view Bible study as a two-way conversation with God. Although I maintained a regular habit of Bible reading, it wasn’t something I looked forward to.Īlthough I maintained a regular habit of Bible reading, it wasn’t something I looked forward to. I started reading through it book-by-book until one day I had checked off all 66 of them.īut when I reached that goal, I lost interest once again. You know there must be excellent stuff on the other side, but you’re staring at red bricks and wondering how you will get through it.Įventually, I discovered helpful reading plans that opened my eyes to how many ways I can read Scripture. If you’re anything like me, arriving at Leviticus is like hitting a wall. Amen” (Revelation 22:21 CSB) could I jump back to Genesis 1:1 and start the whole thing over again. Then, only after uttering the words, “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with everyone. I didn’t grow up reading the Bible, so when I accepted Jesus into my life at nineteen years old, I assumed I should read the Bible the same way I read any other book. At times, reading Scripture felt like a chore-a necessary struggle to become a “good Christian.” Bible reading wasn’t always enjoyable for me.