4 Examples of those who READ the Bible, and the Results.
#4 Daniel.
This amazing man (cf. Ezek 14:14,20) could interpret the Kings dream of the tall statue, and read the handwriting on the wall. (Dan 2; 5). This is the Daniel that was rescued by God out of the Lions den. (Dan 6).
This inspired man STUDIED the word of God. Specifically he was READING from Jeremiah 25:11; 29:10.
Daniel 9:2 KJV
In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
LESSON FOR US TODAY.
We can know God’s intentions for us today when we READ.
Can you see how important God’s people placed on reading?
Let’s read the bible through in 2023
Here’s a link to some printable Bible reading Bookmarks.
If you live in the Borger area and would like to study the bible better, we invite you to one of our services with the church of Christ on Franklin and Juniper.
4 Examples of those who READ the Bible, and the Results.
#3 examples in ACTS.
Acts 8:32 the Eunuch
The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
Ac 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
Acts 17:11 The Bereans
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
LESSON FOR US TODAY.
We can know how to obey the Gospel when we READ.
Let’s read the bible through in 2023
Here’s a link to some printable Bible reading Bookmarks.
If you live in the Borger area and would like to study the bible better, we invite you to one of our services with the church of Christ on Franklin and Juniper.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Titus 2:14 KJV
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
When we read we can be EQUIPPED for every good work..
Let’s read the bible through in 2023
Here’s a link to some printable Bible reading Bookmarks.
If you live in the Borger area and would like to study the bible better, we invite you to one of our services with the church of Christ on Franklin and Juniper.
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
2Tim 3:15
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
1John 5:13
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
John 20:31
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
John 17:20
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
That’s why I read the Bible. To be Wise unto ETERNAL Life.
Let’s read the bible through in 2023
Here’s a link to some printable Bible reading Bookmarks.
If you live in the Borger area and would like to study the bible better, we invite you to one of our services with the church of Christ on Franklin and Juniper.
“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; [21] That they all may BE ONE; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may BE ONE in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”
Jesus prayed for us that we would believe through the word of the Apostles which has been written for our understanding (Eph 3:3–4). He then stated the reason, that we all may BE ONE in God and in Christ as they are one.
If we’re not reading then we’re unable to find that unity in Christ.
“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
When we READ and STUDY we can all be on the same sheet.
“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
That’s why I read the Bible. To BE ONE with God, Jesus, and the church.
Let’s read the bible through in 2023
Here’s a link to some printable Bible reading Bookmarks.
If you live in the Borger area and would like to study the bible better, we invite you to one of our services with the church of Christ on Franklin and Juniper.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Hebrews 1:1
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
“Thus saith the LORD” is found in numerous locations throughout the Scriptures.
The Bible claims to be inspired by God. If it is not the inerrant word of God, then it is to be ignored.
That’s why I read the Bible. To BELIEVE in Him.
Let’s read the bible through in 2023
Here’s a link to some printable Bible reading Bookmarks.
If you live in the Borger area and would like to study the bible better, we invite you to one of our services with the church of Christ on Franklin and Juniper.
Here are some external sources for additional study about the inspiration of the bible.
There’s a trend among clergy, and accepted by many believers, that the average person cannot themselves understand the Bible.
However, the bible tells a completely different stor.
We can LEARN the truth.
We can learn to LIVE by every word from God.
Matt 4:4; Rom. 16:17; Eph 6:13-17
EVERY scripture is inspired by God and makes one wise, & profitable.
2Tim 3:15-17
God is ABLE to teach through the APOSTLES word.
Eph 3:20-21; John 17:20-21; 14:26; 16:13
When we READ we can Believe, understand, Know, and be set free.
Eph 3:3-4; John 20:30-31; John 8:32; Acts 17:11
NO PRIVATE inspired interpretations.
2Pet 1:20; Jas 1:5; 1Cor 1:10
It is the scriptures that make one wise. Prov 1:1,2; 2Cor 3:15
When anyone will take the time to read, study, and search the scriptures, they can learn the truth. If you will read, then when you ask someone for help in understanding, they may leverage your reading (cf. Acts 8:30-35). However, you must prove it to be true. How, you ask? By checking it against the scriptures. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1Thess 5:21; cf. 1John 4:1).
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).
Level One is RESEARCHING the unknown. Our first time Reading to discover what’s there. Pausing to look up word definitions. Reading through the books and letters in a short amount of time, but not hurriedly, to gain familiarity with the contents. This may last through two or three readings.
Level Two is continuing to read & taking a closer EXAMINATION of what we read. Taking note of context, audience, & speaker. This begins to happen after multiple readings after the text becomes familiar.
Level Three is continuing to read and making ASSOCIATIONS between passages you’ve previously read. Looking up cross references of key verses, especially quotations of other scriptures.
Level Four reading is DIGGING DEEPER to DISCOVER buried treasure. ie. Searching Topical associations, People, Places, & Terms.
Reading is the foundation for Study. Reaching the next level only happens with continual reading. Study is just reading at higher and higher levels.
“O Timothy! keep that which is committed to thy trust,” (1Tim 6:20).
We’ve been taking a closer look at the 7 things we ought to protect.
This next one is about protecting our TIME. We won’t be talking about the extending of our lives, rather that we must act promptly because of the uncertainty of longevity. There’s a major reason to be concerned about TIME.
NOBODY knows how much time we have left before the Lord’s return, nor how long we will live.
“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14).
Due to the certainty of this fact, we shall look at Paul’s discussion of time in the letter to the Ephesians. “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Eph 5:15-16). He gives a list of 4 things the Saint does in Redeeming the TIME.
“Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Eph 5:17). The first thing Paul tells us to do in redeeming the time is to be wise, (to THINK, to Study) so we may know what God wants. This is so important because Jesus will be using His word at the judgment. “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48; cf. Matt 7:21-23; Luke 6:46). Since this is true, it’s imperative that we spend some time learning of Him through His word.
“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph 5:18) The next thing is a don’t which is very much related to the first. Don’t get drunk, distracted, INTOXICATED with excesses. It’s impossible to do the first if we’re interfering with our minds ability to think. Other things that do the same are the myriad of distractions that occupy our time. The opposite of this “do not” is to “be filled with the Spirit” which points back to the first point. How is one filled with the Spirit? In as much as they are filled with the word delivered through inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Note what Paul wrote earlier through inspiration of the Holy Spirit; “How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Eph 3:3-4; cf. John 20:30-31;).
“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph 5:19); Continuing on in the discussion of redeeming the time, Paul tells the Saint to MAKE MELODY in your heart to the Lord. In the letter to the Colossians he also says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col 3:16). Do you see a connection to the first part of redeeming the time? It’s about the word of Christ. In addition to knowing it ourselves, we are to teach it to other Saints. One way this is done is through song, in particular, during the time we gather together on the first day of the week. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Heb 10:25).
“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 5:20). At all times the Saint is to live their lives in EXPRESSING Thanks to God for EVERY THING. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1Thess 5:18). Joy is impossible without gratitude. It is essential for the Saints to remember; “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). This knowing that all that desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution, and we’re to count it all joy when we face various temptations (cf. 2Tim 3:12; Jas 1:2-4). In the passage from James, he reconnects it to THINKING on God’s word, acquiring His wisdom. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (Jas 1:4; cf. Jas 3:17). Right back at the beginning of Redeeming the Time.
At no point have we concerned ourselves with extending our time, not that there’s anything wrong with that. The Saint is to primarily be concerned with redeeming the TIME because the days are evil. None of us wants to be caught off guard should the Lord return in our lifetime, nor be unprepared to face the Lord when our time on earth is over (cf. Luke 12:16-21).
One of the difficulties in reading the Bible is confusion over the how each book fits in with the chronology of the other books. This is especially true with the Old Testament prophets.
This Bible Reading plan will include a list for each book in chronological order (or at least in order of its period in the Old Testament).
It is still possible to read the whole bible in about one year, just 15 – 20 minutes per day.
“Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)” [Eph 3:4] “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” [Rom 10:17]
These bookmarks will help you to know how each of the books of the Old Testament and the Prophets fit into the narrative. The book of Job fits in the Patriarchal period. The Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, & Song of Songs fit into the time of the United Kingdom under David & Solomon.
Here is a chart showing you how much time it takes to read the Whole Bible in 1 year or years, or multiple times in a year.
May God bless our efforts to know more of His word.
— spencer
Spencer is an evangelist for the Franklin & Juniper St church of Christ in Borger Texas. If you live in the Borger area and would like a personal bible study, please reach out & let us know how we can help.
Borger church of Christ @ Franklin & Juniper 