9 Vital Bible Reading Tips

Reading the Bible

It’s been years since I first picked up a Bible and read it out of pure desire and intrigue. I’ve had access to a Bible most of my life, but the reality is that it spent most of its being collecting dust on a shelf in my room. Every once in a while, it would get dusted off only to be used as an accessory while attending the yearly Christmas Eve and/or Easter morning church services. For much of my life, reading the Bible was nothing more to me than a book, but it wasn’t until I dropped my pride and opened up my eyes that I realized this was no book; it was a lifeline, a safety net, a second chance and an answer to the vast amount of questions I had about my life. I was hooked. My love for Bible did not come easily, but the more and more I spent time in God’s Word, the more I realized how much I truly needed its presence in my life. And I’ve learned a few vital Bible reading tips.

9 Vital Bible Reading Tips

1. Take notes.

It’s been said that individuals are three times more likely to remember something when they have written it down or noted it on some type of mobile device. Not only will taking notes help you in your remembrance of what you have just read, but it will also give you content to review and look back on over the course of  your spiritual journey.

2. Ask a ton of questions.

There is nothing wrong with asking a lot of questions. In fact, I would encourage you to ask any question that comes to your mind. The more that you initially ask, the better understanding you’ll have of the text you are reading and the purpose in which it was written. There’s nothing wrong with admitting you don’t quite understand everything you see on each page. It’s OK! Everybody has to start somewhere, and the best thing you can do while studying the Bible is ask questions about situations you don’t understand instead of simply assuming and moving forward. Find clarity by questioning what you are reading. God can handle any question you throw at him.

3. Read through the lens of a learner.

Each time I open up my Bible, I act as if it is the first time I’ve ever taken notice of it. In doing this I allow my heart and soul to flow wide open, digesting everything that may come toward me. You will see passages you’ve read a hundred times in a new light, illustrations in a new fashion and stories of faith with a new perspective. Don’t allow yourself to assume that you’ve already learned everything you can from a certain story or passage. Instead, read through the lens of a learner, ready to discover something new that you never noticed the day before.