How should Christians read the Bible?

Question 11001

The Bible is not like any other book. It is the very Word of God, living and active. But many Christians find it difficult to read consistently or to understand what they are reading. How should we approach this book so that it accomplishes its purpose in our lives?

With a Heart Ready to Obey

Before we talk about methods, we need to talk about motive. Why are you reading the Bible? If it is simply to gain information or to tick a religious box, you will miss the point entirely. James warns us, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). The purpose of Bible reading is transformation, not merely information.

Jesus said, “If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God” (John 7:17). Notice the order: willingness to obey comes first, then understanding follows. If we approach Scripture with no intention of obeying what we find, we should not be surprised when it remains closed to us. But when we come with a heart that says, “Lord, whatever you show me, I will do,” then the Spirit opens our eyes.

The Psalmist prayed, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law” (Psalm 119:18). This is a good prayer to begin every Bible reading session. We need the Spirit’s illumination because “the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Consistently and Systematically

Random dipping into Scripture has its place, but it is no substitute for systematic reading. The Bible is a unified story from Genesis to Revelation, and to understand it properly we need to see the whole picture. Many Christians only know certain favourite passages and miss large sections entirely.

Consider reading through the Bible in a year. There are many reading plans available that take you through the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice in twelve months. This gives you about three or four chapters a day, which takes perhaps fifteen to twenty minutes. If that seems too much, start smaller. Read through one Gospel. Then read through Acts. Then tackle an epistle. The important thing is consistency.

Daniel resolved in his heart to pray three times daily (Daniel 6:10). He had a set time and stuck to it. Similarly, establishing a regular time for Bible reading helps build the habit. For many people, first thing in the morning works best, before the demands of the day crowd in. For others, evening works better. Find what works for you and protect that time.

Observing, Interpreting, Applying

A helpful method for studying any passage involves three steps. First, observation: what does the text actually say? Read it carefully, perhaps several times. Notice details. Ask who, what, when, where, why, and how. Second, interpretation: what does the text mean? What was the author’s intent? What would the original readers have understood? Third, application: what does this mean for me today? How should this change the way I think, feel, or act?

Many errors come from jumping straight to application without proper observation and interpretation. We read a verse, it reminds us of something in our life, and we draw a conclusion that may have nothing to do with what the passage actually means. Take time to understand the text in its context before asking what it means for you.

Context is everything. A text without a context is a pretext for whatever you want it to say. Always ask: What comes before this passage? What comes after? Who is speaking? To whom are they speaking? What is the historical situation? What type of literature is this: narrative, poetry, prophecy, epistle? All these factors affect interpretation.

Letting Scripture Interpret Scripture

The best commentary on the Bible is the Bible itself. When you encounter a difficult passage, look for clearer passages on the same topic. The unclear should be interpreted in light of the clear, not the other way around. This principle is sometimes called the analogy of faith.

For example, if you find a verse that seems to suggest we can lose our salvation, compare it with the many verses that clearly teach eternal security (John 10:28-29, Romans 8:38-39, Philippians 1:6). The difficult verse must be understood in a way that harmonises with the clear teaching of Scripture as a whole.

Cross-references are invaluable. When the New Testament quotes the Old Testament, go back and read the Old Testament passage in its context. When Paul refers to Abraham, read the Genesis account. When Hebrews speaks of Melchizedek, study Genesis 14 and Psalm 110. Scripture forms a web of interconnected truth, and the more connections you see, the deeper your understanding becomes.

Meditating on What You Read

Reading is not enough. We must meditate, which means to think deeply about what we have read. The Psalmist says of the blessed man, “His delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2). This is not emptying the mind as in Eastern meditation but filling the mind with Scripture and turning it over again and again.

Joshua was commanded, “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” (Joshua 1:8). Notice the connection between meditation, obedience, and blessing.

Memorisation aids meditation. When you have Scripture stored in your heart, you can think about it throughout the day. “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). Start with short verses and work up to longer passages. The effort is worth it.

With Humility and Teachability

Approach Scripture as a student, not as a judge. We do not sit in judgement over the Bible; it judges us. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

Be willing to have your assumptions challenged. We all come to Scripture with preconceived ideas, some right and some wrong. When the text contradicts what we have always believed, we must be willing to change our minds. This is what the Bereans did: “They received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11). They were open, but they also checked everything against Scripture.

Do not neglect the help of teachers. God has given gifted teachers to the church (Ephesians 4:11). Good commentaries, study Bibles, and sermons from faithful teachers can illuminate passages that puzzle us. But always compare what they say with Scripture itself. No human teacher is infallible.

Conclusion

The Bible is God’s Word to us. It is sufficient for all matters of faith and practice. It is our food, our light, our sword, our treasure. But it only becomes these things as we actually read it, understand it, and obey it. Do not let it sit on the shelf gathering dust. Open it daily. Ask the Spirit to teach you. Expect God to speak. And when He does, respond with obedience. There is no shortcut to knowing Scripture. It takes time, effort, and discipline. But the reward is beyond measure: to know God Himself through His revealed Word.

“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 complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17