“I study my Bible like I gather apples. First, I shake the whole tree that the ripest may fall. Then I shake each limb, and when I have shaken each limb, I shake each branch and every twig. Then I look under every leaf. I search the Bible as a whole like shaking the whole tree. Then I shake every limb--study book after book. Then I shake every branch, giving attention to the chapters. Then I shake every twig, or a careful study of the paragraphs and sentences and words and their meanings.“
How Should We Read the Bible?
- Clean, spiritually – Matthew 13:22; I Samuel 7:3; Psalm 24:3 (a.) Make sure no sin stands between you and God (b.) Prepare your heart to receive the Word
- Concentrate (focus) – Psalm 5:3; Psalm 130:6; Mark 1:35 (a.) Focus on the task at hand (b.) Put all distractions aside
- Constant – Psalm 55:17; 119:52; Deuteronomy 11:18; (a.) Memorise Scripture (b.) Meditate on Scripture throughout the day “Meditate on what you read. [Ps. 119:15] The Hebrew word for meditate' means to be intense in the mind'. Meditation without reading is wrong and bound to err; reading without meditation is barren and fruitless. It means to stir the affections, to be warmed by the fire of meditation [Ps. 39:3].” – Thomas Watson
- Comprehensively – Acts 20:27; Matthew 28:20; II Timothy 3:16 (a.) Read the Word each day (b.) Have a plan to read all of Scripture
- Conscientiously – Psalm 119:72; I Peter 2:2; James 4:6 (a.) Realize the Bible is the Word of God! (b.) Realize the worth of Scripture (c.) Humbly go to the Lord for help in understanding (d.) How does the Bible apply to me? (e.) How does the Bible apply to my situation?
- Carefully – John 3:16; Hosea 8:12 (a.) Read each word and know its meaning (b.) Read each verse and know its context (c.) Read each chapter and know its purpose in its book (d.) Read each book and know its themes and its relation to other books (e.) Read each Testament and follow the links between them
- Comparatively – Isaiah 28:10; John 17:17; James 1:23 (a.) Compare Scripture with Scripture - (b.) How do I measure up to God’s Word? (c.) How do others measure up to God’s Word? (d.) How do I measure up to other characters in Scripture?
Jeremiah 23:29; Luke 24:32
Conclusion:
“The noted Bible scholar James M. Gray told a story that underscores the importance of reading the Scriptures for personal growth.
“He said that when he was a young Bible teacher he became deeply impressed by the peace and spiritual poise of a friend with whom he often talked.
“Since Gray wanted that same stability, he asked his companion the secret of his confident bearing and positive outlook.
"It all started through reading Ephesians," said the man. Gray was surprised by this simple response. He had read Ephesians many times but had never experienced the same strength he saw in his friend. Noticing Gray's puzzled look, the man explained.
"On one occasion, when I was on a short vacation, I took a pocket edition of Ephesians with me. Lying down one afternoon, I read all six chapters. My interest was so aroused that I read the entire epistle again. In fact, I did not finally lay it down until I had gone through it some 15 times."
He then said, "When I arose to go into the house, I was in possession of Ephesians; or better yet, it was in possession of me. I had the feeling that I had been lifted up to sit together in heavenly places with Christ Jesus--a feeling that was new to me."
“This testimony encouraged Gray to master the Scriptures for himself. He began to saturate his mind and heart with God's Word so that he could freely and effectively communicate it to others.” - James M. Gray
