Reading Scripture is foundational for the Christian faith. Without Scripture, we could not know the Triune God (Father God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit). The Scriptures are our best source for learning who God is and growing in knowledge of Him. But what is interesting is that a large portion of Christians do not consistently (or daily) read the Scriptures. There are a lot of different reasons (and sometimes excuses for this), but my hope is that these ten tips for reading Scripture will encourage, challenge and equip you to consistently read Scripture, so you may know and encounter the Living God.
1. Choose a daily or consistent time to read the Scriptures
The habits we make will form us. Whatever habit we choose to engage in our lives will ultimately be a major shaping factor for who we are. For example, if you choose to watch a certain t.v. show everyday, that show's values, characters and meaning will shape who you are becoming - whether you think it is shaping you or not. Similarly, the daily practice or habit of reading Scripture will have a profound influence on who we are as the people of God. If we are putting Scripture in our hearts, Scripture will most likely flow from our lives. The more consistent we are in reading God's Word, the more our soul will come to anticipate and expect to read God's Word. Our soul will naturally develop a taste and liking for reading God's Word as we are intentional in setting aside a daily time of being in the Scriptures. A caution: be careful of excuses and distractions. We humans are professionals at these, so we must be intentional to cultivate a space of reading Scripture or it will never happen.
Also, remember that when we create space and time to read the Scriptures, we are reading them to know and encounter God. This must remain forefront in our motives when reading Scripture. If we are reading Scripture to be a "good Christian" than we are becoming what the New Testament called Pharisees. Jesus did not really have anything great to say about the Pharisees. Jesus said that the Pharisees read the Scriptures, but did not allow them to transform their hearts and lives in their relationship with God. Let us keep our relationship with God in the forefront of our motives while reading Scripture.
2. Before reading, take a moment to clear your heart and mind
Western cultures often overstimulate people with all the media that comes their way, not to mention the worries of life. These often follow us when we try to be still and silent before God to read His Word. A mind filled with activity and worry can distract us and can even keep us from focusing while reading the Scriptures. What can be helpful is giving space to allow your heart and mind to speak; take time to listen to yourself. Invite God into this, listening to yourself and allowing God presence to permeate your heart and mind. Once you have given yourself space to decompress, start reading. But sometimes our hearts and minds still do not want to focus after taking a moment to center ourselves. At this point, just start/keep reading. What often happens is that we are drawn into the Word and the Spirit naturally focuses us on what we are reading.
3. Still having trouble focusing? Pray out loud.
More than our flesh not wanting to focus on God's Word, is the enemy. More than anything else, if Satan and his demons can keep you out of God's Word, he has already won most of the battle for your life. Who can live without food? Who can live without spiritual food? The Scriptures are a major source of spiritual sustenance. If the Christian life is based out of receiving spiritual sustenance by being connected with the Vine (John 15:1-8), than who most of all wants to keep you from reading it? Jesus makes it clear that He has given us authority over Satan and all his demons by what He accomplished at the cross and resurrection (Luke 9:1-2, 10:17-20, Colossians 2:15, Revelation 12:11). This means we have the authority and ability to remove any spiritual distractions that are keeping us from reading the Scriptures. Simply pray out loud something like, "In the name of Jesus, I command any spiritual distractions to be silent and bound in Jesus' name and to leave my presence immediately. I speak peace over my heart and mind and ask God that you would help me to focus that I may read your Word and know you more." Sometimes addressing the possible spiritual issue is what is needed at the moment.
4. Read with the Holy Spirit
If we read the Scriptures in our own flesh and understanding, then that is all we will receive. But what we hope for when we read the Scriptures is to have a collision of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. When the Spirit and the Word collide, transformation takes place in our hearts and lives. Simply set the stage by asking the Holy Spirit to join you in reading the Scriptures and to illuminate (shine a light on) what He wants to reveal to you in the Word. Then as you read, be sensitive to what sticks out to you. Learn to "hear" the Holy Spirit's voice as you read Scripture. Sometimes a word or phrase will be emphasized, you might have a moment of insight, you may be moved in your spirit about a passage. The Holy Spirit is not limited and can speak to you in countless forms while reading Scripture. As we read with the Holy Spirit, He becomes our Teacher as we humble ourselves to learn from Him.
5. Read to be formed by the Scriptures
A major aim of the Christian life is to become more like Jesus. We come to know who Jesus is by reading the Scriptures, both Old and New testaments. "Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow..." (Hebrew 13:8). As we read the Scriptures, we place ourselves under the Scriptures to be formed by them. We are not seeking to master the Scriptures, but for them to master us. Just as the Law revealed to Israel how God wanted them to live, so the Scriptures reveal to us how God desires us to live. As we read, the Holy Spirit often convicts us of sin in our hearts and lives that we need to confess and begin to intentionally change with God. So as we read the Scriptures, we are seeking to be formed by them, not to master them, but to allow them to master us.
6. Pray through what sticks out
Have you ever wondered how to get the Word from your head to your heart? Pray the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit is the one who brings the transformation of our hearts and lives to look more like Jesus. As we pray the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit uses those prayers to work in us and through us. So as you read, consider taking time to pray through what sticks out to you in the Scriptures. Often when something sticks out, it is an indicator that God might be wanting to talk with you on a deeper level about something. So slow down, take the time to have a conversation with God about what is sticking out to you as you are reading. As you talk with God, also take time to listen to His voice speaking to you. God is a personal God who speaks to His people, even today.
7. Use a marking system
Sometimes it is helpful for people to write or mark in their Bible - and yes, it's okay to write in your Bible! Personally, I have developed a marking system. I use different color highlighters and a pen to indicate different things. For example, whenever I read about the Holy Spirit, I always highlight that part in orange. For a miracle, I use green. For something that provides spiritual insight, I use yellow. For everything else that sticks out to me, I underline with a pen. This system has helped me to better study and focus on God's Word as I am reading it. Creating a similar system might help you (if you are not already doing this) better study and focus on God's Word as you are reading it with Him.
8. Try reading different translations
Different translations bring different perspectives. Each translation team (or any translation of the Bible) will use different translation theories and bring their own perspective/beliefs to the translation. This allows for the Scriptures to be translated from the Greek or Hebrew into different perspectives that are hopefully true and accurate to the original text. Reading a different translation brings fresh perspective and understanding that might be different from the translation you are used to reading. This is helpful because it is like receiving a breath of fresh wind when we sometimes know what is coming next from having read a particular translation so much. Some translations that might be helpful switching up once in a while are the: NIV, ESV, CEB, NLT, GNB, CEV, The Voice, and The Message, just to name a few. Try out a different translation for a fresh reading of God's Word.
9. Bring your Bible to "church" and other Christian gatherings
This may sound funny, but a majority of Christians I have observed in the West do not bring their Bibles to "church" (And what I mean by church is the typical Sunday morning gathering, or even small groups!). I can already hear somebody saying, "but it's up on the screen." True. The West often has the privilege of projectors, but something vital is missing. When we hold the Word of God in our hands, read it, hear it, there is a natural kinesthetic connection that takes place moving the Word into us more fully. But someone may argue, I do not learn kinestheticly. This may be true. Granted. But I will make one more argument. I would say a majority of Christians do not read the Scripture daily, if not even weekly. They often only read or hear the Word at "church." They have become so accustomed to being spoon fed by the Western Church that they do not even know how to feed themselves. Not bringing your Bible to church, I believe, is a fruit of this reality (or an indicator). So this may sound funny, but bring your Bible to church (or any other Christian gathering) where the Scriptures are preached or read. The more we get into the Scriptures at church or small group, the more likely we will actually get into them ourselves on a daily or consistent basis.
10. Ask God for a hunger to read His Word, then be intentional by reading it
We cannot create any spiritual desire or hunger within ourselves. All spiritual desire must come from the work of God in us. Thus, one of the best ways to cultivate this spiritual desire and hunger is to ask God for it. So allow part of your prayers to be asking God for a hunger and desire to read the Scriptures. He wants you to know Him and develop an ever deepening friendship with Him. What better way is there than spending 1on1 time reading His Word? Then as you pray this prayer, be intentional by reading the Scriptures. What will happen is your reading will be like a wave at the seashore that gains momentum as it moves toward the shore - you too will gain momentum in reading the Scriptures. You will often experience building expectation and desire as you pray and intentionally read the Scriptures.
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Father God, may you grow a deeper desire in us to read your Word and to know you more deeply by reading the Scriptures with your Spirit. In Jesus' name, amen.
Recommended resources to grow in reading Scripture well:
- Reading Scripture Well (Blog)
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