“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  (Rom 10:17)

One of the chief complaints I hear about reading the Bible is that people find it hard to read.

I’ve wondered why? Is it because of the genealogies, the narrative of the divided kingdom, or difficult concepts? Perhaps it’s a combination of all of these or some other. Perhaps, people are just intimidated by its size and don’t know where to begin?

The average word count for adult fiction is between 70,000 to 120,000 words. Whereas the Old Testament has 929 chapters, 33,214 verses, and 503,493 words.

The New Testament has 260 chapters, 7959 verses, and 181,253 words. For the whole Bible the total is 1189 chapters, 31,173 verses, and 773,746 words.

Maybe it’s a combination of factors. I believe that the main reason folks don’t read the Bible is that they don’t see any relevance for their lives. One man told me, “Sometimes I just real-life help, and not the Bible.” It’s funny that I was giving him real life help at the time along with encouragement to read the bible to avoid future trouble. It’s not either or, it’s both.

The Bible has direct relevance to everyone for the here and now, but especially in the there and then of eternity. Peter writes about the relevant word.

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2Pet 1:3). God’s word contains advice on LIFE, the earthly application, and GODLINESS, the spiritual application. Paul reminded Timothy that the “holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2Tim 3:15-17). The Bible has relevance!

To those that are still intimidated about reading the Bible, I ask you; Has anyone ever shown you how to READ the Bible? You may be better equipped if you knew 4 simple things about how to READ the Bible.

4 Tips on how to READ the Bible.

First, you need to RIGHTLY DIVIDE the word. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2Tim 2:15). To “rightly divide” means to handle it accurately and correctly. Besides knowing that there’s an Old and New Testament, one needs to know what that means for application.

Handling the word accurately one needs to know that we are under the law of Christ, the New Testament, and are no longer under the law of Moses, the Old Testament. Neither are we a law to ourselves. “In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away” (Heb 8:13). The Apostle John wrote, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (2John 1:9)

While we are under the New Testament that in no way tells us to ignore the Old. The Apostle Paul, in writing about the Old Testament said this, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Rom 15:4).

The Old Testament is for our learning about sin, sacrifice, and a future Messiah (Jesus). The New Testament tells us the Messiah has arrived. “Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator” (Galatians 3:19).

If you’re just getting started in Reading the Bible, allow me to recommend that you begin in the New Testament. Here is a breakdown…

The GOSPELS. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. These are the books about the life of the Messiah who is being predicted and foreshadowed in the Old Testament.

I recommend you Read LUKE first.

ACTS. This book is written through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit by the same author of the Gospel of Luke. It covers the beginning of the church of Christ that Jesus promised to build (Matt 16:18). This book is the textbook on how to become a Christian.

I recommend you read ACTS next after the Gospel of LUKE.

The rest of the New Testament is written to Christians, who are also called Saints. These are letters written to Christians about being faithful. They also contain warnings about false teachers, and the possibility of falling.

The letters of the Apostle PAUL. Romans, 1&2Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon. These letters are addressed to specific local congregations or individual evangelists. They have application for us today.

The GENERAL letters. Hebrews, James, 1&2Peter, 1,2&3John, Jude. These are letters by various authors written to Christians in general. A few are addressed to individuals. The contents are still very much applicable.

The REVELATION. This oft abused book is full of figurative language. It has a message relevant for us today, but much of it is historic. Having a strong understanding of the Old Testament will help you understand the figurative language in this book.

Next week we’ll look at another tip on how to READ the Bible.

Agape,

Spencer

The Franklin & Juniper st church of Christ in Borger is very much involved in Bible reading and study. You’re invited to attend one of our services to hear the Gospel preached in plainness of speech easy to understand.

You can read part Two here.

You can read part Three here.