COLUMN: Reading God’s Word
Jason Kennedy
Life Church Hartselle
As a pastor, I often get asked how I go about studying the Bible and studying theology especially coming into the beginning of a new year, so I decided to write about it in the first column I write in 2015. Reading the Bible is important. It is our way to truly connect with God. It is how he speaks to us. By reading the scriptures, we encounter a Holy God.
Many people find this fact intimidating, and often try to steer away from reading the Bible. This is a dangerous game for the Christian. If you do not know what it says, then you can be quickly undone by any devouring enemy. With this in mind, let me give you a few tips.
First, go slow. There is no prize for reading the entire Bible in a year. Typically, when you do a plan that rushes you through the Bible, you can miss the jewels within the text. For instance, my plan this year is to read an entire book and then re-reading it 3 more times before I move onto the next book. My goal is not just to read it, but truly understand what it is saying.
Secondly, start easy. I teach people who sit in my classes to start with some shorter books first especially if they have never cracked open the sacred book. If you can get through Colossians or Ephesians within a week, then it will begin to be less intimidating.
Finally, find a good translation. A good translation like the ESV (my preference) or the NIV is very useful and will put the text in a language you can understand.
Reading and understanding God’s word is rewarding. The Bible is God’s gift to the church. With it, we can have access to Him.