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Whom have I

in heaven but you?  

And earth has nothing

I desire besides you.

 

PSALM 73:25

 

     As we seek to grow and mature in the Lord, it is important that we

try and set aside time daily where we read God’s Word. But sometimes

reading  the Bible may seem overwhelming and we may not know where

to start. So here are some general suggestions:

 

·     First, select a book of the Bible that you want to read. The

    gospels are always a great place to start. My personal favorites

    are James and Philippians.

 

·      Second, pray for the Lord to open your eyes to the wonder of

     His Word and for discernment in understanding His statutes. “Call to me and I will  answer you and tell            

     you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jer. 33:3).

 

·     Third, read the passage and ask the basic questions: who, what, when, where, and why.

 

·      Fourth, use Bible commentaries, dictionaries or supplementary resources to provide additional

     insight on the passage you are studying. There are several free on-line resources that you can use to

     go deeper into the Word. Click here for a listing of BIBLE STUDY TOOLS.

 

·      Fifth, allow sufficient time to reflect on how the passage applies to your life.

 

 

If this still seems a little overwhelming for you, then try doing an organized Bible study which will help guide you through the process. It will also help whet your appetite for the Word and help you become more familiar with the Bible as a whole.

 

Eventually, one of our goals should involve reading through the entire Bible. Though we tend to focus on the New Testament, all of Scripture is profitable and useful, including the Old Testament (2 Tim. 3:16, Rom. 15:4,  1 Cor. 10:6). In fact, the early Christians only had the Old Testament and relied on it to provide them guidance, strength, and training. The Old Testament is quoted almost 250 times in the New Testament, and all of the books of the Old Testament are referenced in the New Testament except Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and Esther. If we focus on only reading the New Testament, we are limiting ourselves to God’s Word and thus His full revelation to us. By studying the Old Testament, our understanding of the New Testament is enhanced and furthered.

 

The Word is as applicable to us today as it was thousands of years ago when it was written, always providing the right instruction and counsel. That is the beauty of the Word; it endures forever, generation after generation. “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isa. 40:8).

 

 

MEMORIZING THE WORD

 

Not only do we need to read the Word, but we also need to try and memorize it – we need to ingrain it in our hearts and souls. The Word provides an anchor for us, a root system on which we can draw. During difficult times, we may not have access to the Word, but if it dwells in us, then we can withstand the trials of this life and remain faithful to our Lord.

 

If memorizing Scripture is a difficult area for us, then let’s try and think of some creative ways to learn the Word such as:

 

· writing out the verse

 

· saying the verse verbally

 

· putting the verse to music/song

 

· using a pnemonic device or memory aid device

 

· placing the verse somewhere conspicuous, like the fridge

 

Even though it may seem challenging let’s try and make a concerted effort to know the Word. Then, we will stand amazed at how much it has helped us.

 

 

Taken from Lorraine’s Bible study A Call to Godly Womanhood. Copyright 2004. All rights reserved.