What Should I Read?
Do you want to read the best-selling book of all times? It’s not a Tom Clancy or John Grisham novel. It is not Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings. According to Guinness World of Records, the Bible is the best-selling book, of all times. And continues to the best seller of the year, every year. Why do you think that is?
The immediate response might be it’s about God and His power. That is very true. The Holy Bible is life and the God’s Word is a life sustaining substance that is needed to live your life. It contains drama, war, conflict, love, friendship, failures, and successes. It provides insight and direction. The Bible can be everything to everybody, if only you believe. If someone had the money, the know-how, wisdom, and the proper actors and created a television series for every book of the Bible, the entire Bible, it probably would be the best viewed television series of all time.
Now, that the best seller has been identified. Why are you not reading it? If you have decided to read the Bible, and you are ready to make the plunge, it should be more than a verbal commitment. It should not be something that sounds good to say to yourself and others, to receive that pat on your back, that you are doing something spiritual. It should be mental. To have a mindset that you are truly going to do this task and have a relationship with God.
For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6King James Version (KJV)
Here are some suggestions for your quest.
Get a Bible. I realize that there are Bible apps and online Bibles that can be read. And, as long as you are reading God’s Word, what difference does it make how you study the scriptures? I am old school and prefer a physical book that I can hold in my hands and can turn the pages. I have discovered while reading a specific scripture or chapter, sometimes your eyes may catch interesting topics on the adjoining page, or above or below your sectioned reading. This is a plus in having a physical Holy Bible.
Pick a specific version of the Holy Bible. I am not going to overwhelm you with the various types of Bible to choose from. The list is endless. With God’s guidance, choose the Holy Bible that best suits your needs. Make sure that whatever Bible you choose has the Old and New Testaments, scripture references and a concordance. Scripture references allow you to research other scriptures on the same subject matter to provide additional clarity. A Bible concordance is an alphabetical listing of words and phrases found in the Holy Bible. It indicates where the word or phrases can be located throughout all books of the Bible. Again, these features can be found online, but if you are going to make an effort, make the full commitment. If you are stuck on thinking everything should be done online, remember if you are taking online classes, sometimes the instructor requires you to purchase a hard copy book.
Bible Dictionary. In the back of most Bibles there is a dictionary. You can choose to buy one separately. Or you choose to look up words online. A dictionary is a must. You must be able to understand the true essence of words, to receive a deeper understanding. And many words may have more than one definition.
Bible schedule. Choose a time that works for you. Early in the morning, late at night or during lunch. Again, your schedule should best suit your demands. Whatever time you choose, read every day at that chosen time. Make it a part of your daily routine. Read every day. The more you read and understand, the better your life will become. Remember, God’s Word is a life sustaining substance. Allow it to flow in your life, every day.
Bible Program. There are many Bible schedules and programs available. Some of them include reading a chapter a day. Read one chapter from the beginning of the Bible (Genesis); one chapter from the middle (Psalms and Proverbs) and then a chapter from the beginning of the New Testament. With that program, you are getting a little bit of everything, all at once. Others recommend starting at the beginning and read the Bible like a novel. These methods allow you to complete the Bible in a set amount of time. Some of these layouts causing people to crash and burn, because if days are missed reading you can get overwhelmed attempting to catch up. Sometimes creating enough frustration to give up reading the Bible. Also, with these designs you may be so focused on keeping the schedule you are not truly understanding what you are reading. Read my suggestion in the next step to assist, in your venture.
Take a nibble. This is my recommendation. In the beginning, instead of reading an entire chapter, which may contain multiple subject matters to ponder, several words or phrases to look up and dozens of cross-references with other scriptures. My tip is to read 1-3 scriptures of a specific chapter, at a time. Take those scriptures break it down for meaning and contents; look up unfamiliar words; and cross references. This way you will get the full meaning of the passage instead of glossing over things just to announce to yourself and others that you read an entire chapter. If you take a nibble, it will be easier to digest. Just bear in mind, the Bible should be read for the quality of the Word versus the quantity of how many words you read.
Listed below is an example of taking nibbles of a scripture.
An example of taking a nibble of peace. Read: John 14:27 New King James Version (NKJV)
APeace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
New students of the Holy Bible will quickly read over the passage and say this is a scripture of peace. That is true, but it contains so much more. This one scripture can be dissected into 5 parts and has and contains 2 cross references and a few words to be defined for clarity.
Definition: Look up the word peace. Peace means a state or tranquility or quiet, freedom from disquieting or oppressive thought.
Breakdown 1: Peace I leave with you… The Son of man is telling His disciples, AND us that He is leaving His peace with us. He is leaving us with a state of tranquility and quietness.
Breakdown 2: my peace I give to you… He is giving (granting, bestowing, and putting in our possession) this precious gift of peace to us. It is a gift.
Breakdown 3: not as the world gives do I give to you… He is clearly stating that His peace is not the same as the peace of this world. He is letting us know that there is a great difference.
Breakdown 4: Let not your heart be troubled… He is telling us not to let our hearts (inner character or feelings) to be troubled (worried, concerned or stressed).
Breakdown 5: neither let it be afraid… Also, He reminds us not to allow our hearts (inner character, feelings) to be afraid (filled with fear).
A This small letter indicates there is a reference to another scripture. There are 2 references to look up from that one scripture. Philippians 4:7 and Colossians 3:15. For time’s sake, you can look up these scriptures on your own for more clarification.
The scripture above contained a lot of content. It means more than a scripture about peace. Breaking down the scripture brings a greater understanding about peace, the different types of peace, who gave the peace and what we should and should not do.
Just for practice. Find a scripture about love, joy, anger or any other emotion. Look up the words for clarity. Break the scripture down. Cross reference other scriptures. Taking morsels of scriptures, can be digested, more easily in our minds and hearts. Start nibbling on the Bible today.