The Pastor's Corner

The Purpose of Scripture Reading

Purposeful Time in the Word of God

You have heard many messages on the importance of reading the Bible. But, given that the average translation consists of more than 783,000 words and 1,189 verses, including a plethora of “thees,” thous,” and words ending in “-eths” it is likely you see the reading the Bible as a task to be endured.

The real problem is not that no one has taught you  to read the Bible, although that is a serious problem. It is you may not know how to read it. And, if you do not, you will never have purposeful time in His Word.

Reading the Bible is not primarily about gaining information or learning how to live like a believer. I know that may go against everything you have heard about Bible reading.

We are used to approaching the Bible with a purpose, which is a good thing. But we may and likely do have the wrong purpose.

The Bible is “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, (and) for instruction in righteousness,” 2 Timothy 3:16b. We please God when we study His Word, 2 Timothy 2:15.  And, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee,” Psalm 119:11.  But, those are the results and benefits of reading the Bible, not the reason we read it.

The Word, primarily, is God’s love letter to us. You may learn many facts when you read a love letter, and those facts may change your life. But the main the main reason you read it is relationship.

The right purpose is relationship, listening intentionally as God speaks with you. This is what the apostles felt while listening to Jesus.’  The disciples on the Road to Emmaus said it best, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” Luke 24:32. That, my friend, is relationship.

When was the last time you read the Bible mindful that God was speaking directly to you? Those words are “God breathed,” as mentioned by Paul in 2 Timothy 3:16, and affirmed by Peter in John 6:68. They are “the words of eternal life.” Being acutely aware that God is addressing you deepens your relationship with Him. Let His words penetrate your spirit.

Putting It Into Practice

1. Remind yourself that you are holding a book called The Word of God. It is called that for a reason. They come from His breath to you.
2. Turn to a passage and pray deliberately that your relationship with Him will grow as you read a passage from His love letter. My daily prayer is that God would give me hears to hear what He is saying. To do this I quote then pray the words of 1 Samuel 3:9, Psalm 46:10, John 10:27, and others.
3. As you read, remain mindful that as you read Holy Spirit is speaking to you and massaging them into your spirit. That means words like Zerubbabel, Begat, Behemoth, Selah and Ephod are intentional and important.
4. Verses instantly take on greater meaning. In the past, you may have asked God to speak to you, never realizing He already was. Every verse is a word from Him.
5. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee,” Psalm 119:11, becomes whispers from the Lord not to be ignored or overlooked.

A New Perspective on Reading the Bible

Were you aware it only takes the average adult 2-5 minutes to read most chapters in the Bible? And reading a chapter a day was never the intended goal. Volume is seldom the answer.

So, the problem is not the lack of time, it is the lack of purpose. Many are either not aware or insensitive to God’s desire to talk with them. Wonder what He will to say to you today.