Let me remind you of my 4 points from my sermon Sunday in “How to Read the Bible”.
1) Read each book as a whole. Don’t take isolated verses and try to give them an ultimate message without reading and understanding the context.
2) Seek to understand what the writer is trying to communicate for their day and time before applying it to today’s time. A good example is Paul’s admonition to the church at Corinth—“Women are to be silent in church.” A word for that time, not for all time.
3) Get assistance for your reading. Don’t limit yourself to your own understanding. There are many commentaries available, some as easy as apps on your phone. I highly recommend getting an NIV Study Bible.
4) Invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you through what you are reading. How often it is the case that a particular word or phrase of Scripture speaks to you exactly in your time of need. That is God’s Spirit speaking to you through Holy Scripture.
Whatever you do, make reading your Bible a daily adventure to be blessed by divine words that speak to all of life.
Brave Journey,
Bill
