Reading the Bible : Advice for Young Believers

02.08.2021

Monday 2 August 2021

My son, if you will welcome my words and if you keep my commandments... then you will understand what the fear of the Lord is and you will find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2. 1-5

The Bible is a very big book. She talks about a lot of things. The text is presented as the Words of God. He loves us and therefore wants to teach us what is true and useful for everyone. Reading it may seem complicated, hence these few tips :

Thank God for wanting to speak to you, and ask Him to open your eyes to see the wonders that are in His Word (Psalm 119. 18). Read slowly, carefully. Read the same passages again until you understand the meaning of the text.

Reflect on the lessons to be learned from what you have just read, for your personal life. "Practice the word and don't just listen to it" (James 1:22). Identify promises to believe, commandments to obey, examples to follow, sins to avoid... Write down what you learn. Above all, find out what is said about Jesus Christ : He is the main subject of the Bible.

To read the Word of God is to be aware that He is speaking to you. He makes you feel his greatness and his holiness, and places you concretely in the presence of your Father.

Learn to talk to God about what you read. If he told you about his glory, worship him. If he has told you about yourselves, confess your faults to him. This living scripture study will shed new light on other similar passages.

Thank God for everything you have discovered.

(adapted from John Stott)

Source (The Good Seed)