How To Read The Bible

Melencio Lomod Jr. 02 May
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, (Philippians 3:7-10)
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Introduction: 

Over the past days we have been flying all over the Bible (Old and New Testament) and saw the great need of fallen human beings for redemption from the wrath of God. As Pastor Jonah banners, "We really need to know God, not only intellectually but experientially ." in other words, God must be known not only by the head, but also by the heart, best read in Philippians 3:7-10, Paul's joy in "knowing Christ Jesus my Lord".

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, (Philippians 3:7-10) (emphasis mine)

(Monday) Then Sis. Lot gave us a picture of a life that is built upon two seemingly the same houses but two extremely different foundations. The Wise And The Foolish Builder (Luke 6:46-49). Which I think is a great way to assess our life. To which foundation am I building my life?

(Tuesday) Bro. Harold encouraged us not to be afraid because the Lord is our light and our salvation (Psalm 27:1-3). We have a sure hope and a faithful God "who works all things for good to those who love him." (Romans 8:28)

(Wednesday) Bro. Ivan's prayer and invitation for us last time was to respond by faith and place our faith in Jesus Christ for our salvation and forgiveness of sins. He took time in explaining how a changed life is a result of a changed mind (repentance). We also heard a wonderful testimony about how he came to know Jesus Christ.

Thursday night, we were encouraged by Bro. Ed to "Be Still" (Psalm 46:10). In the midst of the mixed-up situations that we experience right now, Psalm 46:10-11 says, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”(echoes “The Great Commission”) The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."

All of that was a packed message on “Knowing God”. Tonight, we are going to have a slightly different approach. It is more like a “Seminar” than a “Devotion” because I think, the best way to respond with all that was taken up during this week is to really do it, to really “READ THE BIBLE”.
Now, before we can begin to answer the “How”, I think all of you would agree that we should take a closer look first at the “What” and the “Why”. While the “How” will give us practical steps, 1-2-3, do’s and don’ts, we won’t have the drive and the encouragement to continue because we don’t know much on “What” and “Why” the matter is.

How To Read The Bible?

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)

Aim:

1. For listeners to learn how to read the Bible.
2. For those of us who want a fresh way of looking at the Word of God.
3. For all of us to grow in our faith.
4. For all of us to be able to proclaim the Word of God to the ends of the earth.

Method:

Part 1 - Theory
1.a ¹ What is the Bible?

  • A library of 66 Books
  • Major Parts (Old - 39 & New - 27 Testaments)
  • Old Testament - Written by various authors in a span of (1,000 years)
  • New Testament - Written in the 1st century (40-50 AD) by the Apostles and their associates.
  • One Divine Author - The Holy Spirit
  • Historical, real events, written by real people, in real time.
  • Theological, the whole Bible, Old Testament to New Testament, Genesis to Revelation, displays a great message that "God reigns and saves a people for himself through a covenant for his glory."
  • Inspired by God, Transferred through Scribes, Translated by Servants.
  • Narratives (Stories), Genealogies, Laws, Songs, Poems, Prophecies, Literary Forms.


1.b In the Bible we read, the Word of God:

  • endures forever (1 Peter 1:25)
  • is at work in you (1 Thessalonians 2:13)
  • the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17)
  • alive and active (Hebrews 4:12)
  • it will accomplish God's desire (Isaiah 55:11)
  • to be treasured more than food (Job 23:12)
  • I was with God from the beginning, and has dwelt among us (John 1:1, 14)
  • Full of Spirit and Life (John 6:63)

2. Why is it so neglected? (3 Common Myths)

  • It is Old and irrelevant.
  • It is full of contradictions.
  • It is impossible to understand.
  • The work of the enemy as we read in 2 Corinthians 4:4 which says, “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”


 3. Why is it important?

  • It is God's Word. 'All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.' (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
  • through God's Word, faith is made alive. So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)
  • How does faith grow? Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, but the word of the Lord remains forever... And this word is the good news that was preached to you... 'Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— (1 Peter 1:3,25; 2:2)


Part 2 - Application
1.a How do I read the Bible? 

  • Get a Bible.
  • Set a time.
  • Set a place.
  • Use a reading plan. (See resources)
  • Take notes. (S.O.A.P.)
  • Accountability (Read the Bible with someone)


 1.b Pray for God to open the eyes of your heart too see the glories written in the Bible. (Ephesians 1:18)

2. Where should I start?

  • Get an overview of the whole Bible.
  • Get an overview of the Old & New Testament.
  • Get an overview of each book.


Final Words: 
This may be an end of a series but for some, a beginning of God’s inner work in your life.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Joshua 1:8)

Resources:



Other Resources:







“Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”





Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
Melencio Lomod Jr.

Posted by Melencio Lomod Jr.

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