Join Us in Reading the Bible!

Join Us in Reading the Bible

OPEN THE BOOK.

As a church family, we are reading the New Testament. “The New Testament is a rich tapestry of people, culture, history, and theology. In its pages, we meet real people with real joys and sorrows. We meet a Messiah who loves the human race so much that he gives his life for it. We encounter God, not as a distant, uninterested spirit, but as one who is intimately involved in the affairs and lives of human beings. The New Testament is just as fresh and relevant today as it was two thousand years ago when it was written, and the process of familiarizing ourselves with its contents continues to be a fascinating journey of discovery."

Some tips to consider as we read:

Plan to spend time reading each day, early morning and late evening work well.
Find a quiet place.
If you get behind, it’s ok; start again!

Here is one way to meditate on your Bible reading and learn from what you read:

Pray before you begin and ask God to guide you.
Read the chosen section of the Bible and find a phrase or verse that you want to remember or that reached out to you as you read. Copy it into a journal. Ask yourself these questions and write down your thoughts:
- What does God ask of me in these words? (Is it a promise to believe? Is it something to obey? Is it both?)
- After reading, for what reason do I have to give thanks?
- What sins do these words of the Bible lead me to confess? (Have I failed to trust God’s promise? Ignored God’s direction for my life? Have I forgotten to be thankful for blessings I’ve received?)
- What am I led to pray about after reading these words of the Bible?

(Method adapted from Martin Luther’s “A Simple Way to Pray.”)