How can we feed ourselves more fruitfully from the Bible?
Well, first, do it with God! Ask for His help, to prioritize reading His Word each day (as soon as we have disposable time, give it to God!); and, to protect that time; and then, for His help as you read!
Second, keep a balanced diet. Probably read two new testament books for every OT one.
And keep a balanced diet of the OT itself; don’t try to wade from Genesis to Malachi in that order! Better to feed first on one of the early books; then a history book; then a poetic book; then one of the prophets; then round again. Maybe try this…
1. Genesis, then 1 Samuel, then Proverbs 1-9, then Psalms 1-20, then Isaiah.
2. Exodus, then 2 Samuel, then Job, then Psalms 21-41, then Jeremiah and Lamentations.
3. Leviticus, then 1 Kings, then Proverbs 10-17, then Psalms 42-72, then Ezekiel.
4. Numbers, then 2 Kings, then Ecclesiastes, then Psalms 73-89, then Daniel.
5. Deuteronomy, then 1 Chronicles, then Proverbs 18-24, then Psalms 90-106, then Hosea-Obadiah.
6. Joshua, then 2 Chronicles, then Song of Songs, then Psalms 107-119, then Jonah-Habakkuk.
7. Judges/Ruth, then Ezra-Esther, then Proverbs 25-31, then Psalms 120-150, then Zephaniah-Malachi.
Vary your reading styles too – first 3-4 chapters a day (getting an overview; that way you’ll get the big picture of [say] all 2 Kings in a week); then perhaps a chapter a day, absorbing it in depth. (But there are books we may only find nutritious at the overview speed; Leviticus, perhaps, or Jeremiah.)
Ask the Lord good questions, and expect His Spirit to place answers in your mind:
- Lord, why have You put this in Your Word, what’s its main point?
- How am I responding/feeling as I read this?
- Is there anything difficult to write down and ask friends about?
- What does this teach me about… God?
- … about people?
- … about how salvation works, and spiritual growth?
- Is there an example, command, or warning here to follow?
- a sin to avoid or confess?
- a promise to claim?
- What difference will believing this make to my life today? Lord, how do You want me to change because of what I’ve read today?
- Or, very simply, two key questions!: What is there in this passage I can respond to, in (a) worship, and (b) prayer, as I finish reading it right now?
Then: Don’t lose your discoveries – note them down so that you’ve got them next time you read this passage (or lead a study on it).
And share them – with friends who are Christians, and those who aren’t yet! Fresh bread is often the most meaningful – and what you share, you’ll probably end up grasping better!
Obey what God gives you to discover (see Matthew 7:24-27…)
Keep exploring, because `All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness` (2 Tim 3:16)! In the end our spiritual lives will grow superficial and stagnant unless we pioneer into more of what God’s chosen to reveal…
And longterm, expect joy!– and the sense within you of being well-fed spiritually; ready to impact the world for Jesus, because God is not a stranger to you…
Bible feeding will make the difference to a life you’ll look back on from eternity and know was really worthwhile…
(Note: This was originally created as a church handout.)
