Reading Your Bible
From personal experience, I have seen how the Bible can speak to us about certain situations in our lives. During moments of any given week, I need encouragement, instruction, and correction. God gives that to me through his Word. “ All Scripture is God– breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (II Timothy 3:16-17)It is important to make Bible reading and Bible study a part of your daily routine. In this brochure we want to give you some practical ways that will help you form a foundation in this area of discipline.
When I first decided to start reading the Bible daily, I read a chapter a day which was a small and manageable goal. Setting a specific time of day for my reading was also helpful.
"For the word of God is living and active.”
Hebrews 4:12a
Questions to Consider
Before you begin reading, pray and ask God to reveal things to you from His Word. When you read a passage of Scripture, it might be helpful for you to keep certain questions in mind.Who? Ask yourself, who is speaking in the passage? Who is the passage written to?
What? What point is being made in the passage? What stands out to you in the passage? What are the promises made to you in the passage ?
When? In the passage, is time involved? (Does it require immediate action?) If it talks about a certain event, when does it take place?
Where? Where does the passage take place?
Why? Why do you think this passage is included in the Bible? What lesson is it illustrating?
How? How do you apply this scripture to your life? How do you need to respond to this scripture?
If you read a passage and there are things you are not sure about, ask a Christian friend or pastor. Pray and ask God to make what you read more clear to you. A Christian bookstore also can provide many helpful Bible study guides. Your church or youth group may have a group Bible Study for you to get involved with as well. It is really important to get involved in a local church!
“Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”
Psalms 119:105
Two Week Bible Readings on Selected Topics
Life and Teachings of Jesus
Day 1— Luke 1: Preparing for Jesus’ arrivalDay 2—Luke 2: The story of Jesus’ birth
Day 3—Mark 1: The beginning of Jesus’ ministry
Day 4—Mark 9: A day in the life of Jesus
Day 5—Matthew 5: The Sermon on the Mount
Day 6—Matthew 6: The Sermon on the Mount
Day 7—Luke 15: Parables of Jesus
Day 8—John 3: A conversation with Jesus
Day 9—John 14: Jesus’ final instructions
Day 10 - John 17: Jesus’ prayer for his disciples
Day 11— Matthew 26: Betrayal and arrest
Day 12— Matthew 27: Jesus’ execution on the cross
Day 13— John 20: Resurrection
Day 14—Luke 24: Jesus’ appearance after resurrection
Life and Teachings of Paul
Day 1— Acts 9: The conversion of SaulDay 2— Acts 16: Paul’s Macedonian call and a jailbreak
Day 3—Acts 17: Scenes from Paul’s missionary journeys
Day 4—Acts 26: Paul tells his life story to a king
Day 5—Acts 27: Shipwreck on the way to Rome
Day 6 -Acts 28: Paul’s arrival in Rome
Day 7—Romans 3: Paul’s theology in a nutshell
Day 8— Romans 7: Struggle with sin
Day 9—Romans 8: Life in the Spirit
Day 10– I Corinthians 13: Paul’s description of love
Day 11— I Corinthians 15: Thoughts on the afterlife
Day 12—Galatians 5: Freedom in Christ
Day 13—Ephesians 3: Paul’s summary of his mission
Day 14– Philippians 2: Imitating Christ