My post a couple weeks back generated quite a bit of response on here and among my real life friends. (Hey, guys- thanks for reading!)
I know writing about morning devotionals isn't an original concept in the least, but I am glad it resonated with some of you, as it did for me. I've been thinking about it a lot, still, since then, and a couple of questions have come up because of it. One thing I have been asked, by my sixteen year old daughter, for one, as well as by others, is "Where do I start?"
If you have ever picked up a Bible and flipped through it, it only takes moments to feel a little overwhelmed and hopeless. So much in it, much of it so confusing, so many ideas and doctrines, so much allegory and poetry, so much prophecy, and so, so many pages and words. Where to begin?
As my kids have gotten older and begun reading the Bible on their own, this question comes into my mind more and more. I know there are many, many ways to approach scripture and the study of it, but I want to give you some of my ideas, whether you are a new Christian; have teens who are beginning to study the Bible; don't feel like you know God's Word like you should; or for anyone in general who may be interested in my approach to reading and studying the Bible.
To begin with, Cate and Grace have adopted a simple habit over the last year or two that they came up with all on their own, that I think is an excellent place for anyone to start. During every sermon or Bible study, they write down every single scripture reference in their notebooks and then look them up during the week. This is helpful on many levels.
First of all, looking up so many scriptures gives them familiarity with the geography of the Bible itself. The Old and New Testaments. Where the Gospels are. What comes before Psalms, you get the idea. The more they flip through the Bible and look up scriptures the less intimidating it feels. It's such a great way to get to know the Bible.
Second, when the girls look up each scripture that was used in a sermon and read it for themselves later, it helps teach them about study and interpretation. Why was that verse used to teach that concept? How was it applied? Sometimes they don't remember. Over time, though, it sharpens their minds and over all causes them to pay more attention at church, too.
Finally, of course, going and looking up scriptures each week and reading them in their context helps them learn those verses, even if they aren't memorized. Hearing a scripture preached on then to look it up and study it is a great way to cement what that verse says in a natural and organic way.
This brings me to scripture memorization. You know, this isn't something that Ben and I really push or promote with our kids. Yes, we do own a number of kid's songs that are scriptures put to music, and I promise that is the absolute easiest and most mindless way to memorize verses without even realizing what you are doing, but beyond that it is not a huge emphasis for us. Our goal is for our kids to love the Bible, and to find it the most interesting, fascinating book in the world. We read them lots of Bible stories, have them read through The Picture Bible many, many, times (it truly is a great book to give an overview of every single story in the Bible), have lots and lots of questions and discussions about the Bible, and finally, hopefully, when they get older, their imaginations are sparked and their curiosity is aroused, and they begin to read the Bible for themselves. I don't want them to think of God's Word as school, or a chore, which is why I do not push them to memorize scriptures. What I want is for them to love the Bible. If you love God's Word and meditate on it often, memorizing it will happen on its own.
That's all well and good, but how should you read the Bible, if you haven't really done it much before and don't really know where to start?
2 Timothy 2:15 says, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Therefore, a great way to approach the Bible is to study it, and the easiest way to do this is by topic.
For a very user friendly study Bible that references key words and helps you find scriptures that say similar things, I highly recommend the Thompson Chain. It's been my favorite Bible since I was 16. Grace loves it as well. If you are beginning to study ideas and doctrine, it makes the job so much easier. It is a great tool because it organizes scripture by subject, and in the margins lists where the next scripture on that particular subject can be found. For instance, I was reading scriptures on meditating on God's word that inspired me to write this blog post. Ps 119, "Oh how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day." In the margin is a reference to the next scripture on meditation- 119:148: "Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in they word." Next reference to meditation is Psalm 143:5. You get the idea. If you decide to purchase this Bible, I don't recommend the Handy size because the pages are pretty crowded. The Regular size is much easier to read.
And, of course, there is Blue Letter Bible, a free handy website that looks up any verse by key word, reference, whatever. I use it all the time. There is a great Blue Letter Bible app for your iPhone.
Another way of learning the Bible is meditation.
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." Joshua 1:8
The idea of meditation on scripture is an important one. How do I meditate on scripture? In general, some Bible verse or idea will lodge itself in my mind, whether when I pray, or during a sermon, or while reading the Bible. I think about this verse. I look up other verses that say a similar thing, whether using the Thompson Chain (here it is free online) as a tool, or Blue Letter Bible. I think about it some more. I talk about it with friends. I read other chapters in the Bible in light of the idea. I talk about it more. Pray about it more. Read it again in the Bible. The more these things are thought on, and discussed, then thought on some more, the more solid they become in my mind. The Bible says to encourage one another in the faith, and to forsake not the assembling of ourselves together, and if you have Christian friends, discussing what you are thinking about and studying can be one of the most invaluable tools to gain a deeper understanding of God's Word that you have at your disposal. Having a friend as a sounding board for the scriptures you are thinking about will inevitably lend perspective that you might have never found on your own. You guys, I do this All. The. Time. Discussing the Bible with others has been one of the most important elements of my life as a Christian. I could not begin to describe what an impact this has had on my life over the years. If you haven't discussed the Bible with friends much before, I encourage you to start doing it now. "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Proverbs 25:11. So very, very true. Conversations about the Bible with my friends are akin to discovering a gold mine.
Finally, maybe you don't have a friend to encourage you or discuss the Bible with, or maybe I am your friend, whether in real life or through this blog. Well, then, I will put here a list of some of my favorite chapters and books that I feel are a great place to begin reading the Bible to help you get started. Many of these chapters I've read hundreds of times, and, of course, since all scripture is profitable, this list is not an exhaustive one. They're just a good beginning.
First, I recommend reading either one or all four of the gospels- Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Perhaps start with Mark, though I love John.
The following are favorite chapters that are easily read in a day:
Psalm 119 is about God's word and how important it is to learn, and know and meditate on. If you want to inspiration to study the word of God, this is the first chapter you should read, and study.
John 4, 14, 15, and 16 are favorite chapters.
The book of Acts, especially 1-5.
The book of Romans, particularly 6, 7, and 8.
I Corinthians 12, 13, and 14.
The book of Galatians, pay attention to chapter 5.
Ephesians is a favorite book of many. I especially love chapters 1 and 2.
Phillipians and Colossians are each easily read in a day.
I love Paul's words to Timothy in the first chapter of both I and II Timothy.
Hebrews is an amazing book, but very deep and can be overwhelming. Hebrews 11, 12, and 13 are great chapters to start with.
James has lots of practical advice.
I and II Peter are excellent. I love I Peter 1-3.
I have read I John many, many times.
Revelation can be an overwhelming book, but the first three chapters are a great place to start.
You could spend your entire life of Bible reading in the book of Psalms alone, and I have many, many favorites. I love Psalm 1, 37, 46, 51, 91, 119, whatever, you get the idea. The entire book is encouraging and easy to read.
The first 8 chapters of Proverbs, Proverbs 31.
Isaiah 12, 53, 55-66.
Job 38-42.
Ecclesiastes is a great one to read all the way through in one sitting.
A.W. Tozer once said that Deuteronomy was the most spiritual book in the Bible. It may surprise you when you read it- it may not be what you think.
Jeremiah 18, Ezekiel 18.
Okay, you get the idea. I think this is a good starting place and from there, I do believe you will have become familiar enough with God's Word to be able to find favorites of your own.
I hope you find these ideas helpful, whether for yourself, or for your kids who are beginning to approach the Bible themselves. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments section.
