Nehemiah 8:3 "And he read therein before the street that was
before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the
ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law."
The person who can read well has a much better opportunity
of knowing and understanding God's Word than the person who has to rely upon what others tell them about the Word of God.
Reading the Word of God is a very important part of communicating God's Word to God's people. Public Scripture reading
was a regular part of worship services in Israel and in the early church. Today we are blessed above all people in history,
for not only does nearly everyone know how to read, but there also are enough copies of the Bible available so that everyone
may have a personal copy. Here are some suggestions to aid you in receiving the greatest benefit from reading the Bible.
1 Read the Bible prayerfully. Ask the Spirit of God
to meet your heart's need as you read (Psalm 119:18 "Open you mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your
law." That there are wondrous things in God's law, which we are all concerned, and should
covet, to behold, not only strange things, which are very surprising and unexpected, but excellent things, which
are to be highly esteemed and valued, and things which were long hidden from the wise and prudent, but are now revealed
unto babes. If there were wonders in the law, much more in the gospel, where Christ is all in all, whose name is Wonderful.
Well may we, who are so nearly interested, desire to behold these wondrous things, when the angels themselves reach to
look into them. Those that would see the wondrous things of God's law and gospel must beg of him to open their eyes
and to give them an understanding. We are by nature blind to the things of God, till his grace cause the scales to fall from
our eyes; and even those in whose hearts God has said, Let there be light, have yet need to be further enlightened,
and must still pray to God to open their eyes yet more and more, that those who at first saw men as trees walking
may come to see all things clearly; and the more God opens our eyes the more wonders we see in the word of God, which we saw
not before. )
2 Read the Bible thoughtfully. Think about the meaning and
implications of what you are reading.
3 Read the Bible carefully. Take careful note not only of
the words that are used but also of how they relate to one another.
4 Read the repeatedly. It may be of great help to read the same
passage daily for a month's time. This is a goos way for His Words to take root in your heart. If you are reading
a short book, read it every day.
Divide longer books into managable portions of two or three chapters
and read that portion through every day.
5 Read the Bible extensively. Sometimes it is a great to
read large portions of the Word of God through at one sitting. If you do this, do it at a time when you are alert and
not likely to be disturbed during your reading.
6 Read the Bible regularly. It is good to have a particular time
evey day when you habitually give yourself to the reading of the Word of God.
7 Read the Bible faithfully. Inevitably there will be days
when you will fail to read the Bible. Do not let your momentary lapse discourage you. Faithfully resume your practice
of reading God's Word.
8 Read the Bible obediently. Because the Bible is God's Word
written to you, it is essential to obey it. (Exodus 24:3 "And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD,
and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD has said will we
do." Moses told the people the words of the Lord. He did not lead them blindfold into the covenant, nor teach
them a devotion that was the daughter of ignorance; but laid before them all the precepts, general and particular, in the
foregoing chapters; and fairly put it to them whether they were willing to submit to these laws or no.)
