How to Read the Bible

[princesa]

Do you read it differently when you feel down? Go to a particular book.

I haven't read the entire bible. Have you? Any order?

Do you ever look at it and feel overwhelmed like you don't know where to start. Then you start and the bookmark remains for a while. This may be due to lifestyle, busyness, exhaustion, knowing you'll be interrupted , chores etc...

I think it's crucial to be disciplined in reading even when you don't particularly feel like it. I would love to have the desire to. How do you get 'desire' to read it I wonder.

I've read several books, most NT, and have read them a few times, but never in any disciplined order. I love Ecclesiastes, I kept nodding my head 'yes!', everything is vanity really.

[RBerman]

Do you read it differently when you feel down? Go to a particular book.

I haven't read the entire bible. Have you? Any order?

Do you ever look at it and feel overwhelmed like you don't know where to start. Then you start and the bookmark remains for a while. This may be due to lifestyle, busyness, exhaustion, knowing you'll be interrupted , chores etc...

I think it's crucial to be disciplined in reading even when you don't particularly feel like it. I would love to have the desire to. How do you get 'desire' to read it I wonder.

I've read several books, most NT, and have read them a few times, but never in any disciplined order. I love Ecclesiastes, I kept nodding my head 'yes!', everything is vanity really.

It's good to have some sort of plan for reading the whole Bible so you don't just hit your favorite parts repeatedly. The strict order of the 66 books is probably not the best for a first read-through at least. It can help to approach the Bible with "I want to find about X" rather than just "I probably ought to read more Bible." What does the Bible, as a whole, say about getting along with your family? About money? About forgiveness? About helping people outside your immediate circle? About what happens when people die? And so on.

It can also help to take notes. What is this book of the Bible about? How does its approach differ from other similar books in the Bible? What's a one sentence summary of this particular chapter, and how does it relate to the message of the particular book in which it's found?

Really what you need is a reading partner to bounce things off of. You've said before that your local Roman Catholic church doesn't have a lot for you in that department, and I hope God brings someone into your life to help fill that need. In the meantime, you could use an online resource like one of these:

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/...-and-slackers/
http://www.biblegateway.com/reading-plans/
http://about.esvbible.org/resources/reading/

[princesa]

It's good to have some sort of plan for reading the whole Bible so you don't just hit your favorite parts repeatedly. The strict order of the 66 books is probably not the best for a first read-through at least. It can help to approach the Bible with "I want to find about X" rather than just "I probably ought to read more Bible." What does the Bible, as a whole, say about getting along with your family? About money? About forgiveness? About helping people outside your immediate circle? About what happens when people die? And so on.

It can also help to take notes. What is this book of the Bible about? How does its approach differ from other similar books in the Bible? What's a one sentence summary of this particular chapter, and how does it relate to the message of the particular book in which it's found?

Really what you need is a reading partner to bounce things off of. You've said before that your local Roman Catholic church doesn't have a lot for you in that department, and I hope God brings someone into your life to help fill that need. In the meantime, you could use an online resource like one of these:

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/...-and-slackers/
http://www.biblegateway.com/reading-plans/
http://about.esvbible.org/resources/reading/

thank you. Good point on how I should approach it. I think, my reason for wanting to approach it, at this time, is more emotional (to fill an emotional void, seeking assurance, wisdom) than interest in learning specific areas. Oddly enough, it's that same reason I'm not reading it with a clear head and it may be fruitless...also there is no point throughout my day where I am not constantly interrupted. (even now, 3 times I was interrupted!)

Thank you so much for the links, I look forward to going through them.

[Jedidiah]

I have read all of it a couple times, but I am mostly a NT guy.

[Catholicity]

I've read 72 books I still prefer the 72 canon. Even if I go to the Baptist Church.

[The Remonstrant]

How to read the Bible: front to back, left to right, top to bottom.

[37818]

I've read 72 books I still prefer the 72 canon. Even if I go to the Baptist Church.

So of the 73 books of the Catholic Bible canon, which one is it that you are not counting, and why?

[princesa]

How to read the Bible: front to back, left to right, top to bottom.

I recommend the below to all the women in your life. Tell her I said hi.

http://www.theologyweb.com/campus/sh...he-Kings-Table

[Catholicity]

So of the 73 books of the Catholic Bible canon, which one is it that you are not counting, and why?

that was an accident.

[KingsGambit]

I'm now trying out a new way - I just downloaded the ESV Bible for Kindle. (Why ESV? Because it was free.)

[Thoughtful Monk]

Yes I read the Bible differently when I feel down. I usually read a lot of condemnation out of it.

I've probably read the whole Bible but not in sequence. Most neglected section for me is the Minor Prophets.

I've had a desire to read parts of the Bible at times. For example, I remember for awhile God really wanted me to read Romans 1-9.

Its probably good to be with a regular Bible reading group.

I like Ecclesiastes, too. My favorite book is 1st John.

[phat8594]

Do you read it differently when you feel down? Go to a particular book.

I haven't read the entire bible. Have you? Any order?

Do you ever look at it and feel overwhelmed like you don't know where to start. Then you start and the bookmark remains for a while. This may be due to lifestyle, busyness, exhaustion, knowing you'll be interrupted , chores etc...

I think it's crucial to be disciplined in reading even when you don't particularly feel like it. I would love to have the desire to. How do you get 'desire' to read it I wonder.

I've read several books, most NT, and have read them a few times, but never in any disciplined order. I love Ecclesiastes, I kept nodding my head 'yes!', everything is vanity really.

The first time I read through it, I used one of the 'Read the Bible In a Year' Bibles that have daily passages that include 1 OT, 1 NT, 1 Psalm and 1 Proverb.

Now I just try read through it one book at a time, usually meditating on what I read for a while.

I believe that the more often that you set time apart to spend with God through reading His word, the more you will desire to do it, simply because you will be enriched.

[thewriteranon]

I have been feeling a lot more enthusiasm for reading it lately, particularly since I purchased N.T. Wright's New Testament translation which is very accessible without feeling like it's treating me like I'm dumb. Naturally I've been reading a lot of Paul. Lots of instruction there for daily life which is what I've felt I've needed lately, but I also started Luke the other day.