But the Bible is hard to read

This is going to be a short post today as I am traveling to a church conference but this subject came to mind the other day.  I was listening to yet another sermon encouraging people to read the Bible more.  I got to thinking about how difficult it can be to know where to start and how to read the Bible.

As a young Christian I read the New Testament from Mathew to Revelations straight through which was very good for me.  As I matured I actually started in Genesis and read all the way to Revelations but it was really difficult to spend so much time in the Old Testament before getting to the New.

There are many ways to get into the Word of God and over your lifetime you will probably do several of these types of studies.  The important thing is to have a plan so that you can stick to it easier.    Here are some ways to help you read the Bible.



One really good way for new Christians is a topical study.  Especially today when we spend so much time on computers you can google "what does the Bible say about _______?"   Then you can read various bible scriptures.  It is a good way to learn about whatever life struggles you might be going through.

You can always set yourself a goal of reading a verse, a chapter, a book or whatever each day or week.  It is interesting to look up what scholars say about the author, who was being written to and what was happening during that time so that you get the correct context for what you are reading.

You can also read a verse or chapter and choose the important words and look up the original Greek on the computer to see what deeper meaning you can draw from the scripture.

These things don't take long and can make your time in the Word more interesting and more meaningful.  The most important thing is to read God's word regularly and to ask Him to help you with your understanding.

You can even google what the bible says about reading the bible.  Here are a few verses.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV 

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Psalm 119:105 ESV 

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Joshua 1:8 ESV 

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Matthew 4:4 ESV 

But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

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