First, recognize the importance of what you're reading. In many countries across the world, the Bible is an illegal piece of literature to own and is punishable by prison or even death. This should tell you something. This is more than just a book. How many books in the world could get you killed across the world? Not many. The Bible that you have in your room is a treasure that God has given us. If you are wondering how it got here and if we truly can trust whether or not its true, feel free to e-mail me (chris@cpbc.org) and ask me. This blog entry is geared more towards those who already believe that the Bible is God's Word and want to learn how to read it better.
Second, take a moment to stop and pray before you start reading. Okay, I know this sounds cheesy and christiany, but follow me for a second. Most of the time what happens when we read our Bible, we begin with a thought in mind to dig out whatever we want out of it. Instead of reading it for what it says, we go in with the question, “What does this mean to me?” Going at your Bible study in this manner puts the focus completely on yourself and can lead to some interpretations that the text isn't trying to say. For example, if you look at Matthew 18:20, it says, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” Many Godly preachers, I believe, have misinterpreted this passage meaning that if more than two or three people gather together (like in a Church), then God is with them. Well, there's a problem with that since God meets us individually and the passage is not talking about church gatherings but about how to approach a brother or sister in Christ (friend from Church) when they've hurt you. That part of the passage is talking about how if you discuss the matter with two or three of your wisest friends, and you all agree, then God is with you in the matter. Most of the time, people take the passage out of its context, as in the surrounding verses and story, and come up with a truth that has nothing to do with the passage itself. So, this is why you need to pray. None of us are unbiased Bible students, but we do need to submit our wisdom and our biases to God. When I tell you to pray before you read, I'm telling you to make sure to get your heart straight with God before you go into it.
Thirdly, read it slowly and deliberately. One of my big problems that I had when I was a young Christian was reading the Bible too fast. It really is okay to read just 1 chapter a day. It's just a matter of what you do with that 1 chapter. Most people get hung up on how much of the Bible they read in one day or how much time they spent in the Bible instead of asking, “How well did I read the Bible? How well did I use the time I spent in the Bible today?” If you spend 5 minutes breezing through 1 chapter and then put it away for the day, how well did you spend that time? But, if you spent 15 minutes, reading the chapter in maybe 5 minutes, then thinking and praying about it for 10 minutes after that, how well did you spend the time? What I've learned about my faith, it is not the quantity of time I spend with God, but the quality of time with Him. Trust me, if you work on the quality of your time with Him, the quantity will grow, too.
Fourthly, ask questions. Not just, what should I change in my life, but why is this here? Why did the writer use that metaphor? Why is this story here? Why? Why? Why? If you have questions that you cannot answer, then ask an adult from our ministry or one that you trust that may know the answer. I personally would be glad to answer any of your questions, though I can't guarantee you'll get an answer. I may just ask you a series of questions instead. The key in studying the Bible is not to come up with immediate answers, but to ask questions and really try and figure out what it's saying. We live in a culture that thrives on “easy mac” answers, instead of taking the time to cook a good meal with the questions.
Fifthly, discuss with others your age. Talk with others about what you're reading and see if they're seeing the same thing. Along with this, you could read this with another person, out loud. (*Whoa, you're telling me to read the Bible out loud?! I don't want to sound like a boring preacher dude!*) Okay, granted, most people read the Bible in a monotone (snorefest!) voice, but here's the deal, this was written by a person who was deeply passionate about he was writing. You think Jesus called the Pharisees “brood vipers!” in a boring teacher voice, or in a booming screaming yelling fanatic “YOU BROOD OF VIPERS!!!” Yeah, definitely the latter. Trust me, reading it out loud and with changing your tone of voice based on what is being read completely changes how the Bible sounds.
Sixthly, (I'm getting to the end I promise!!!) read it in a private place. Don't read it while chatting online, checking myspace or facebook, doing homework, watching TV, and somehow walking the dog at the same time. You will get absolutely nothing out of it. I'm not guaranteeing that you will get something out of it if you read it without all those things, but I am saying you it will be more likely. Find a good time out of your day that you know you will be alone for the amount of time you want and stick to it.
Seventhly, (okay, I realize this is getting ridiculous) if you don't understand what you just read or zoned out temporarily (which I do all the time), read it again. Yes, I did say it. Read it again. In my freshman Bible Study Methods class, after an entire semester of teaching us the best ways to study the Bible (I wasn't being sarcastic at all there), the professor says this to us, “I've taught you all the ways I see best to study the Bible, but I will give you the single best way to study your Bible. It is simply this: if you do not understand, read it again. Read it 50 times if you have to. The best Bible study method is to read a passage over and over again until it becomes ingrained into your brain.” I can honestly tell you (without sarcasm) that he is absolutely right. If you have ever been impacted by anything I've taught you from the Bible, it is because I have read the passage many many times before I present anything to you. It's about repetition. Athletes understand this. In order for you to understand a play, get better at the fundamentals, you have to do it over and over again. Or if you're a gamer. How many people got on World of Warcraft right away and were instant stars? You can try and disagree with me on this, but they weren't good until they had played the game for long periods of time. Same applies to Bible study. If you take the time to get used to the Bible, practice reading it, and reading it over and over again, your view of the Bible will begin to change.
I want to say this to close this off. In no way, shape or form is this a fool-proof way to get the best out of your Bible. I'm simply one dude giving you my take on it. There are many other ways. Don't take my word for it though. It is incredibly important that you learn to think for yourself and to become more familiar with the text that God has given to us as His Word so that we may know the way of His life, the truth of His life, and the real life we find in His life. I think some guy said something like that one time (hint: His name is Jesus).
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