When you set out to read the entire Bible through this year you are embarking on a journey of an accomplished believer. In fact, only about 11% of Christians interact with their Bible daily (according American Bible Society) and the same percentage of Americans have read the entire Bible through ever (according to Lifeway Research).
There are parts of the Bible that might be harder to understand or get through than others. That’s why I’m here today. To help you get through the hard parts. To help you finish something that you may have started but never completed. To help you read the entire Bible this year!
How to read the hard parts…
- Knowing the most about the Bible is not the win
37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. John 5:37-40 ESV
These religious leaders knew the Bible better than anyone, having the first five books of the Bible completely memorized. And. They. Still. Didn’t. Know. That. God. Was. Standing. A. Few. Feet. From. Them.
The goal is to know the real Jesus relationally more than maintaining a rhythm of something religiously.
- Understand the Bible is full of different types of literature
Law, Narrative, Poetry, Prophecy, Genealogy, and Narrative. Each one of these needs a different kind of reading because they are written with a different kind of style. Here’s a great article explaining each style and how to read them from our friends at Bible Project.
- Read it right (through the lens of proper hermeneutics)
The purpose of hermeneutics is to make sure that we are reading the way God intended us too. This is important for understanding what God is saying to us. Making sure we consider the context, the culture and the history of what is happening in what is written. Here’s a great article explaining the basics of Biblical hermeneutics.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
- S.O.A.P.
Here is a simple format that works great for locking in a daily reading that makes a transformative impact in your life.
S – Scripture : read the daily text assigned (try other translations on tricky parts)
O – Observation : what is it saying? who is saying it? to who? when? in what context? (hermeneutics)
A – Application : what is it saying to ME? how do I need to apply this? what’s my next step?
P – Prayer : ask the Holy Spirit for revelation, to know Jesus better and to be transformed by His word
Are you ready? Let’s get in to God’s Word!
Pastor Jon