1. Make daily reading a habit. Follow the schedule available
on the site (http://www.TheBible.net/read),
or some other schedule, and stick to it.
2. Read with a purpose in mind. You should be reading the
Bible in order to understand the will of God for your life. Reading
just for the sake of reading, while better than nothing, may
not be the most profitable. Watch the Read The Bible index page
(TheBible.net/read)
for links that will lead you to articles that may help your study
(see TheBible.net/HTSB).
3. Read with a goal in mind. Read to finish and understand
Genesis. Read to get an overview of the old testament. Read to
survey all of the Messianic prophecies in Isaiah. Have something
in mind that you want to learn, then plan how you want to learn
it. Then do it.
4. Study as you read. Take notes. Write your questions down.
On one of my trips through the Bible, I started to keep three
separate notebooks: (a) an outline of each chapter and an overview
of each book, (b) things I needed to study more and questions
I had about Bible topics, events, etc.; and (c) ideas for lessons,
sermons, studies, articles, books, etc.
5. Put what you read into practice. Vital lessons learned
become that much more unforgetable when you begin to live them.
6. Learn to imitate faithful Bible characters:
(A.) Be like Ezra: "For Ezra had prepared his heart
to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes
and ordinances in Israel." (Ezra 7:10, NKJV)
(1) Prepare your heart to seek the law of the Lord ("Open
my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law."
Psalms 119:18, NKJV)
(2) Do it ("If you love Me, keep My commandments."
John 14:15, NKJV)
(3) Teach others ("And the things that you have heard from
me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will
be able to teach others also." 2 Timothy 2:2, NKJV)
(B.) Be like Paul: "Imitate me, just as I also imitate
Christ." (1 Corinthians 11:1, NKJV)
(1) Be willing to learn from others.
(2) But only if you can see that the ones you seek to learn from
are patterning their lives after the example of Christ.
7. Pray before and after you read. The passage alluded to
above (Psalms 119:18) demonstrates the prayerful attitude we
should have as we consider the meaning and intent of God's word.
8. Pursue wisdom. While it is true that God grants wisdom
("If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives
to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to
him." James 1:5, NKJV), it is also true that we must simultaneously
pursue it of our own accord.
The opening verses of Proverbs 2 indicates the intensity
with which we should pursue knowing the will of God and seeking
wisdom. The verses as they appear below (bold text added) show
how we should apply ourselves to learning God's will.
"My son, if you receive my words, And
treasure my commandswithin you," Proverbs
2:1, NKJV.
"So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And
apply your heart to understanding;" Proverbs
2:2, NKJV.
"Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And
lift up your voice for understanding," Proverbs
2:3, NKJV.
"If you seek her as silver, And search for
her as for hidden treasures;" Proverbs 2:4, NKJV.
"Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And
find the knowledge of God." Proverbs 2:5, NKJV.
"For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth
come knowledge and understanding;" Proverbs
2:6, NKJV.
For additional insights, questions, etc., contact
TheBible.net at admin@TheBible.net
