How can I read the Bible and get something out of it? 

Let's face it:  the Bible is not the easiest book in the world to read.
But those who devote the time and effort to dig into it find that they
reap rich rewards. Here are some suggestions for getting the most out of your Bible reading. 

First, find a good translation. There are plenty out there. At St Paul's
we use a modern translation called the New International Version.  If you want something in simpler English, we recommend the Good News Bible, the Contemporary English Version or the New Living Translation.  Eugene Peterson has also produced a very fine paraphrase of the New Testament called The Message.  All of these are available from most Christian bookshops and many secular booksellers as well. 

Second, if you are just starting out, we suggest you begin with one of the four gospels in the New Testament, which tell about the life and
ministry of Jesus. After that, you may wish to move into the letters of
Paul in the New Testament, or some of the psalms or the book of Genesis in the Old Testament. Most people do not attempt to read a whole book of the Bible at a sitting, but just to read a chapter, or even a dozen or so verses, each day. 

When you sit down to read your Bible, pray first, asking God to speak to you and teach you. If you can't think of words of your own to say, try
these from Psalm 119:18:  "Open my eyes, so that I may see the wonderful truths in your law." 

As you read, try to get the gist of what is happening:  Where and when are the events taking place?  Who are the main characters?  What happens to them?  Once you have done this, ask yourself if there is some lesson you can learn from the passage:  What does it tell me about:

• God?


• about human nature?


• about my relationships with God and other people? 
 

Third, try to see if there is some practical action that you should be taking in response to what you have read:  Is there an example I can follow or a course of action that I should avoid?  After you have done that, pray again, asking God to give you the power to put what you have read into practice. 

You may find it helpful to use a guidebook or commentary.  At St Paul's Church we recommend Scripture Union daily devotional guides.  They come in a wide variety suited to different age groups and levels of Bible knowledge. Click on "Links" in the menu to the left for a link to Scripture Union.

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