1st Peter 3:15, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”
Question:
Hello uncle, Can u please tell me how to start reading Bible.
Answer: Hello Jesim,
Thank you for visiting my website ministry. Here is a very helpful MP3 Bible
study by Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001), titled, "The Science Of Bible
Reading"...
www.jesusisprecious.org/sermons/audio/jack_hyles/science/13-science_of_bible_reading.mp3
Here are many more helpful Bible studies in this series by Dr. Hyles...
For me personally, I have benefited so much more from HEARING the Bible than reading it, for a few reasons. When I listen I can relax and focus on the message without struggling to pronounce the words. Romans 10:17 says that "faith cometh by HEARING the Word of God," so I like to hear it. I love Alexander Scourby's reading of the King James Bible...
You can listen to the entire Bible in just 75 hours! I dare say 1 in 250
Christians can honestly say that they've read the WHOLE Bible through in one
year. By listening to it, you can easily hear the entire Bible a few times a
year. I heard the book of Revelation several dozen times in 2017. I listened
to some of it today, and Psalms and Jonah and Judges. I click and drag
Alexander Scourby folders into Windows Media Player. I purchased the MP3 disk,
which I highly recommend.
When I read the Bible, I always look for Jesus. We read in John 5:39, "Search
the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they
which testify of me." Revelation 19:10b, "...for the testimony of Jesus is the
spirit of prophecy." We learn about the Living Word (Jesus) through searching
the Written Word (the Holy Bible). So when you read the Bible, always look for
how it relates to Jesus Christ.
Although Bible reading and Bible study are not the same, they are inseparable
I think. I think it is important for any new believer who reads the believer,
that they quickly learn the theme of the book they are reading, to help them
understand the background behind the book. I wrote the following article,
which I think you will find very helpful...
The book of Jonah was written during the time that Assyria ruled the world. It is very helpful to understand the secular history that parallels any particular book of the Bible. The internet is very helpful for this. That is one reason why I like to listen to Pastor J. Vernon McGee's "Thru The Bible in 5-years," because Dr. McGee often tells historical information, which makes reading the Bible much more interesting. Pastor McGee (1904-1988) was a Presbyterian minister, but 100% correct on salvation, and I love him dearly...
www.oneplace.com/ministries/thru-the-bible-with-j-vernon-mcgee
We all have the bad habit of reading over something in the Bible that we don't
understand, and just moving in. I think that is a bad habit which needs to be
corrected. So when I read something that I don't understand, I either study
that topic right away, or make a note of the passage to study it later. I
often type that Bible verse in a Google search and the word "commentary" to
see what other Bible scholars have concluded. I hear some preachers
discouraging the use of Bible commentaries, but I disagree. I am 100% for
using Bible commentaries, because the Holy Bible can so easily be
misinterpreted by unskilled students. The modern Bible versions are often
corrupt, being misunderstood by the translators. That's why I love the King
James Bible, which is the only LITERAL translation we have today. The modern
paraphrases are all based upon the opinions of intellectual scholars, but the
King James translators gave us a literal translation. So, of course, I would
warn against ever using the modern versions to help understand the archaic
King James Version, because you could be misled.
I also recommend, if you do read the Bible instead of listen to it, that you
invest in a more expensive quality Bible, with comfortable font. I hate the
cheap $5 Bibles with tiny font. Most people never read such inexpensive
Bibles, because they are irritating to squint to read. Harry Potter witchcraft
books have nice big font that is easy on the eyes, but then the Holy Word of
God is printed on hard to see, tiny, ugly looking, unpleasant font. That is a
shame! You can buy a really nice Bible for $50. I like the maps of the Holy
land and other study aids.
Also, become familiar with some maps of the Bible lands. A picture is worth
1,000 words. Many people don't read the Bible because it is frustrating to
understand, and it is boring to some people. By using maps, a good Bible
dictionary (like Unger's Bible Dictionary), it brings the Bible alive. There
are many free Bible maps on the internet, and Bible dictionaries.
One of the most helpful resources I have found on the internet is at
PreceptAustin...
When reading the Scriptures, always try to make an application, not just an
interpretation. What does this passage mean to me as a Christian? What does
God want me to take away from this passage? What is the truth that I am
supposed to learn? There are hundreds of passages of Scripture that I couldn't
understand 20 years ago. I have been saved for 37 years now. I was saved at 13
years of age. From life's experiences, they have enabled me to grasp certain
truths that I couldn't understand when I was younger. So, there will be many
passages, especially if you are a younger believer, that you will not be able
to completely understand, and that is okay. What I do with such passages is
keep them in memory, always looking for anything down the road that may help
me understand it.
Reading the Bible is so important for every believer, as it is our daily milk
and meat to spiritual grow (1st Peter 2:2). Just as the Hebrews were not
permitted to save manna until the next day, lest it spoil and stink, so also
we cannot live tomorrow on what we read today. Each day is unique. I have
learned that no matter how much time I spent with God yesterday, it won't feed
me today. If I don't seek God early each day, grabbing a Bible verse to snack
on and perhaps a sermon to start my day, I will be carnally-minded. Colossians
3:1-3 teaches us to "set your affection on things above," where Christ sitteth
on the Father's right hand. Going to sleep each night is like taking an eraser
to a chalkboard. I must walk with God each and every day. Psalms 63:1,"O God,
thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh
longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is."
To start reading the Bible, I recommend beginning with Genesis. When I was
saved at age 13, I began with Genesis, then Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy,
but then I became bored in Numbers and jumped to the New Testament. A lot of
new believers do that also. Although there are many wonderful Bible teachers
on the internet, there are also many bad ones, like Robert Breaker, who sets
dates for Christ's return and says people needed works to be saved in the Old
Testament.
One of the greatest truths I ever heard was that we should read the Bible each
day until our heart burns. Through learning the Scriptures we have the mind of
Christ (2nd Corinthians 2:16). Listening to Bible preaching is a great way to
learn the Word of God, although nothing can substitute for time spent alone in
the Word of God. Pray and ask the indwelling Holy Spirit to give you
understanding (John 16:13). Psalms 111:10, "The fear of the LORD is the
beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his
commandments: his praise endureth for ever." Obedience to God's Word helps us
understand the Bible. Corrupt doctrine often comes from corrupt living, and
then people try to change the Bible to fit their agenda (Romans 1:25). The
love of money is the root of all evil, including the modern Bible corrupting
movement and the churches that support such evils. The Word of God is the
believer's Sword. It is our weapon, a double-edged Sword. Our weapon is only
as good as we understand how to use it; hence, reading, memorizing and
studying the Bible is essential to the soldier of Christ.
Also, reading the Bible is like assembling a puzzle. We look for the outside
pieces first and form the frame, then work inward. Likewise, it is best to
learn the general purpose of each of the 66 books of the Bible, then move
toward specifics. Learn the writer of each book, and the geographical
location, the purpose of the book and to whom it was written.
The Bible is truth. Jesus said the truth would set us free (John 8:32), and He
is the truth (John 8:36). To get close to the Word of God is to draw close to
Jesus, Who is the Word of God (Revelation 19:13).
I hope that helps a bit my friend.
Have a good day,
