Reading Scripture

Scripture, which is the word of God may not be the simplest thing to study and capture because of the many obstacles and hindrances to attaining it and applying it in our lives. But because God requires us to hide it in our hearts, it is good enough to strive to do so; and always for our own good.

Even Christ knew the Word, and that’s why He was able to conquer over the devil at the moment He was tempted. So Scripture is essential to every Christian that desires to grow and follow Christ while living effectively and productively for His Kingdom.

Here are some questions and/or facts that will guide you in reading Scripture effectively and enable you to love it as you ask the Lord to help you apply it are;

1. Have uninterrupted time of reading so that you may practically understand what you are reading – this happens after having a deep desire to know God’s Word – determination is key in knowing and applying scripture directly into our lives
2. Read it just as it is (just like you read books) – let the spiritual implications come in after reading (while meditating) and see if those words make sense…
3. Identify the passage with the context in which it was written – if it is Jewish or Samaritan/Gentile, post-exile or pre-exile, during the time of Jesus or after his death – this helps us have a ‘picture’ (or create mind pictures) of how life was or how things were…
4. Ask yourself questions (in view of the passage) like;

a)      Why did he/she do that? Or Why did God do that? (Whether good or bad).

b)     How could/would they have done it better?

c)      Why was God angry or pleased with them?

d)     If I was in their place would I have done it better or worse? And why do you think so?

e)      Why did those around them react like they did (whether positive or negative) And if you were there, how would you have reacted to the message or their actions?

f)       Was God justified to treat them like that?

g)     In view of today and now (this generation), do you think that passage is relevant? And why do you think it is (or is not) relevant?

h)     Do you entirely understand what you are reading? If ‘no’, why? Do you think you can understand the passage with a little help? Which help is that?

5. Calm down and think through what you have been reading (which simply means it may not be that possible with big junks of scripture so I prefer you read just a few) – this is what we call meditation. The following happens during meditation (mainly application);

a)      What does what I have read teach me about God?

b)     What does it teach me about this person (or these) people’s relationship with God

c)      What does it teach me about this person (or these) people’s relationship with one another (or with others)

d)     How can I change (or what can I do to become better) in line with what I have read?

e)      Conclusively, what have I learnt from this portion of scripture today?

f)       What is my prayer for today?

6. In order to hold and memorize what you have read, think about it in the course of the day – paraphrasing the piece of scripture in the whole passage that spoke to you directly – with this, you’ll have so many ‘memory verses’ that you can practically apply daily in your life!
7. Desire to tell someone about what you read – post it on Facebook or Twitter or Google+ or post pictures of it on Pinterest or Instagram or Flickr (that’s why I’m frequently on social media anyway) or SMS it to someone… by sharing we are transformed more – it is the reason why this blog exists.
8. Remember God’s Word is not all about cramming but knowing and applying it in our lives so that we become Christ-like.

Above all, there is one thing about the Spirit of God helping you read Scripture. Because it is him who inspired it, only He knows those hidden things in it. Why don’t you ask Him just for that before you begin? He is always willing to assist and help us understand God, others and even ourselves. Use of some Bible Study reference material like this website (inclusive of maps, concordance and literature) will also be helpful – but don’t entirely depend on this to understand what you are reading.

Then your (and my) life will begin to change as Scripture transforms us… God bless.

Bonface Morris.