How Do I Study the Bible? Part II

Yesterday, I shared a post I wrote about a year ago on how I study the Bible. In that post I touch on what I typically do if I need to do a deeper dive into Scripture. Start with the text, try to understand what it means on my own, consult commentaries, look at dictionaries and other sources to get a bigger picture of the context, and then try to make some application.

But what about the day to day reading? What do I do there? If I'm honest, probably nowhere near enough.

I've heard Paul Washer suggest that, sometimes, we should simply read the Bible. No commentary, no digging super deep—just read it.

I think there is some wisdom in that. We don't have to pull out five books every time we open the Bible to read a handful of verses. There is a time and place for that, mind you. But there is also a time and place to simply read, sit, and contemplate.

The encouragement I want to give to you is simple: read the Bible.

Don't feel that you have to read it like me, or study it like some famous preacher. But you do need to read it, so find what works best.

Do you understand it best when you read first thing in the morning, or right before bed? Maybe it's in the middle of the day. Find which, and read it.

Do you do better reading multiple chapters, or just a handful of verses? Figure it out, and read it.

I think you're getting the point. Don't overthink it.

A number of years ago, a friend and I tried reading the same book—every day—for a month. It's a great way to learn a book. It didn't work for me so much, but my friend loved it. We're all different, and that's okay. The main thing is to be consistent, and to read God's word.

Yes, as you grow in your faith, you should desire to understand it more, and that will result in those deep dives. But even if you're not to that point yet: read it.

Reading the Bible isn't something we do to check off something on a list, or to earn favor from God. It's something we do out of love for Him, and a desire to know Him more.

We don't go without food or water, because we know what will happen. We don't (normally) go to new places without having a map of some kind, because we know we will get lost. In the same way, and much more importantly, why would we go without spiritual nourishment? Why would we go without a light for our path? Read it.

If you want wisdom, direction, and to know God's will—read the Bible. If you want to know who you really are as a person—read the Bible. And if you want to know God more—read the Bible.

Read it.