How to Read the Bible Well

A member asks,

In your sermon yesterday evening, you mentioned taking a couple hours a month to learn to read the Bible well. Are there any specific resources you would recommend?

I’d recommend a three pronged approach.

Read Good Books about Reading the Great Book

If there's one book I'd recommend, it’s What's in the Bible by R. C. Sproul. A similar volume is Reading the Bible For All It's Worth by Gordon Fee. Both books introduce and summarize key doctrines, events, and approaches related to Scripture.

Watch Videos About the Bible Books

There's a helpful, free video series online called the Bible Project. As far as I know, the creators aren't Reformed, so we might not agree 100% with all they say. But for use by well-grounded adults, I'd say it's an excellent resource for getting the gist of different biblical books. Here's a sample covering the book of Philemon.

Most Importantly: Read Biblical Books Multiple Times

Many people try to read the Bible straight through and come up confused. There is so much ground to cover that by the time you finish—if indeed you ever finish!—you may hardly remember the earlier portions. I suggest picking one biblical book from each of the major genres. Then read them through at least 5-10 times (don’t worry how long it will take). This process surfaces and cements key ideas, as well as familiarizes you with the structures and idioms of that genre. I’ve used this method extensively to great benefit. For instance:

• OT Narrative — Genesis

• OT Prophets — Isaiah

• OT Poetry — Psalms

• NT Narrative — Matthew

• NT Epistles — Romans or Ephesians

 Listening to an audio version is a fine way to do this, too. I've listened to Romans probably hundreds of times.

To do this properly, of course, it is crucial that you begin and end your studies asking the Holy Spirit to guide and enlighten you to the truth, guard you from error, and drive you toward the obedience of faith.

I hope some of these are helpful to you!

A Beginner's Guide to Reading the Bible

The Bible is a big book. Or rather, sixty-six books.

“Where do I even begin with the reading the Bible? It’s huge.”

This is a question I receive often. Probably because people instinctively pick up the Bible and try to read it cover to cover, only to discover parts that feel like crossing the Sahara on foot (though I promise there are plenty of oases, you just have to know where to look!).

I recommend first to become very familiar with a few key books. These will help "unlock" the others since they either form the backdrop of the whole Bible or are quoted extensively by other Biblical authors.

Key Old Testament Books

• Genesis

• Exodus

• Deuteronomy

• Psalms

• Proverbs

• Isaiah

Key New Testament Books

• John

• Acts

• Romans

• Ephesians

• 1 John

A simple method:

Don’t just plow through the Old Testament. Go back and forth between OT and NT books. The one exception being Psalms and Proverbs, which should be read daily or at least weekly.

Next, whatever book you're in (e.g., Romans), read it start-to-finish not once, but 3-4 times before moving on to the next book. It’s okay if it takes you a month or two to complete this. Re-reading books in their entirety helps cement core ideas and causes you to notice things you might have overlooked on the first pass. And here’s a Hot Tip™, try using an audio Bible like the free Crossway ESV app. Did you know the book of Romans is an hour long? No big deal!

As you go, write down any questions (and passages) that come to mind for researching later. But don't let your questions halt your reading.

Later, review your list of questions and highlight any whichever stand out the most.

Now, pick up a commentary and see what it says for those specific passages. John Calvin's commentary (or any of the ones in the church library) is a good place to start.

Don’t Skip Systematic Theology

Bible interpretation is much easier when you have a grasp on the basic system of doctrine. I strongly recommend reading the Belgic Confession very carefully, followed by the Catechism. Both are on threeforms.org as well as in our Trinity Psalter Hymnal and Forms & Prayers book.

The Sunday Reader: Vol. 2 | #1

Should We Try to Convert Non-Reformed Christians to Calvinism?

Rev. Spotts answers this common question from personal experience.

Training Children for Church

Visitors are often surprised by how small children at PURC are able (for the most part) to sit quietly through our services. It’s certainly not because our kids are naturally more self-controlled than others! Here are some practical tips for helping your little ones thrive in church.

Don’t Reap to the Edge of Your Field

Michael Kelley explains an important principle behind the command not to glean the edges of fields (Lev 19): “To use the language of Leviticus, we tend to reap to the edge of our fields. We use all of everything we have – all our money. All our time. All our energy. All our everything – and sometimes more. As a result, we don’t have anything left “just in case.””

Bible Reading Plans for 2019

Personally, I prefer plans that work through several sections of Scripture at once.

A Letter to an Inactive Member

If not for you personally, perhaps this will help you find balanced words to address someone else in your life.

ABOUT — The Sunday Reader shares articles we've found particularly insightful, thought-provoking, or edifying this week. While not always representing the views of our Pastors and Elders, these selections offer a mix of viewpoints to broaden and frame your understanding of God, Scripture, ourselves, and the world we serve in Christ's name.