Understand the Bible and Its Books
The Bible is a compilation of several books that were written over a long period of time. Thus, it is important to familiarize yourself with the literature’s antiquity. The Old Testament is composed of the books of Torah, the law of Moses, or Jewish Scripture. It includes Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. The latter two were written by prophets. These five books were combined into one volume. The rest of the Old Testament books include historical writings, poetic texts and teachings by prophets. To understand them better, read the books of Psalms, Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes. Finally, the New Testament is composed of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, recorded stories of Jesus’ life, as well as his teachings, the book of Acts and letters from Apostles to the early Christian churches.
Understand the Bible’s Content
The books of the Bible outlines God’s plans for his people, showing how the centuries have been marked by God’s acts of deliverance and love. Whether you believe it or not, the Bible is considered an authority on not just spiritual matters, but also provides sound guidance for everyday life. It encourages readers to treat one another with love and it provides essential principles for living. It is also a philosophical sourcebook that can be read with an open heart and a sharp intellect. It is often expressed as stories, parables, and oracles that contain wider theological implications.
Set A Schedule
To read the Bible in one year, it is important to set and stick to a weekly or daily schedule. A daily reading schedule provides perspective on the importance of spending a little time routinely reading the Bible. You may also consider having a weekly plan that includes extra time to focus on major themes and stories. You can use the Navigators Bible Reading Plan, the Read the Bible for Life Plan or the classic One-Year Bible. No matter which you choose to go with, it is important to set a plan that allows for reading daily, so you can gain more insights with each reading.
Use Bible Study Software
When reading the Bible, it is helpful to use bible-study software such as Logos Bible Software, Olive Tree for Android, Bible.is App, or YouVersion. These software are incredible tools, as they allow users to find scriptures quickly, take in-depth notes and look up words or phrases. On some platforms, sermons, devotionals and teaching videos are also available. Through such technology, the Bible can be personalized and searched in different ways, which will help to understand the deeper meanings and implications.
Develop A Devotional Life
Although reading through the Bible in a year is a good start, praying and meditating on the text is equally important. As you read, think about why the text was written and what God is saying to you today. Write down what the text means to you, or pick passages to help you focus your prayers each day. You may also use devotionals meant to help Christians understand the Bible, such as the Jesus Calling Devotional or the Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World by Max Lucado.
Enlist Help
You can also enlist the help of your church or friends. Start an online study group or participate in a Bible study at church. Discuss your understanding of the scriptures and gain insights on the passages you want to learn more about. Participating in a Bible-study program or support group keeps you accountable and ensures that you stay on track and keep reading.
Open God’s Word
Take time each day to open God’s word, even when you feel like you don’t have time. Be intentional about reading the Scripture and make it a part of your daily life. Dedicated time for your devotional life and prayers will boost your relationship with God and spur you on to lead a life of beautiful servitude and faith.
Look for Historical Context
When reading the Bible, it is important to get a better understanding of the text by understanding the historical settings and authors of the books. This will help in understanding why a certain audience was addressed, what the purpose of the book is and how the readers should translate the text into modern day life. For this, you can either search through commentaries or look up facts and information in the Bible.
Commit to Memory Verses
When you come across certain passages that resonates with you, commit them to memory. Bible verses are a source of inspiration and when memorized, they will become affirmations that you can go back to and stay connected to God’s Word.
Maximise Benefits Through Prayer
When you devote time to reading the Bible, it is helpful to also spend time praying. Say a brief prayer before you read and end each session with a conversation with God. Give thanks and ask for God’s wisdom and guidance to understand the passages you read. Pray for praise and thanksgiving, as well as requests to forgive and give you strength to do the right thing. Doing so will help to maximise the benefits of your Bible study.
Use Visual Representation
To better comprehend scriptures, you can draw a visual of a story or key words to represent the points of a passage. Doing so will embed the information into your mind. Other tools include the practice of taking your own notes through writing the main points of a passage, which will help to build memory and concentration.
Read Widely for Context
Reading the Bible should not be done in a vacuum. Rather it is important to read around in order to grasp different themes and provide background information. Do your best to learn from well-known books and articles on the subject in order to get a better understanding of the context and overarching narrative.
Understand the Traditional Teachings
Studying Scripture brings a better understanding of many traditional Christian teachings. These include reflections on salvation, the role of the church and the biblical mandate of serving and loving others. Look at traditional teachings in the light of Scripture and consider how they apply to your own life and the lives of those around you.
Develop Bible Reading Habits
When reading the Bible, set up a rhythm that you strive to keep to every day. Whether it be in the morning or at night, develop the habit of spending a set amount of time reading the Bible and praying. Be mindful to not neglect prayer in favor of just reading Scripture and if your mind starts wandering, prayer is the perfect remedy.
Apply God’s Living Word
Make a conscious effort to live out each day’s reading. Look for ways to apply the Scripture to your life and treat it as a roadmap for how to live a more fulfilling life. Reflect on the passages and look for ways to share the Scripture with people, as well as ways to allow them to encounter God’s living Word in the way you live and the way you interact with them. Developing both of these traits requires spending time in prayer and meditation, as well as reading devotionals. Finally, it is imporant to look at the world through the lens of faith. Actively reflect on how the Bible speaks to everyday situations and the world you live in.
