Best Practices for Bible Reading
How to read your Bible and apply it to your life.
Unlike other books, the Bible was written not just for our information but for our transformation. The book of Hebrews describes God’s Word as being alive and active because it shapes our minds if we meditate on it, changes our future if we follow it, and adjusts our attitude when we dive into it.
It can take time and effort to understand the Bible. It was written in a language, culture, and time period very different from ours. Here are some questions to consider when reading God’s Word:
1. What is the genre? The Bible is full of different genres (law, history, wisdom, poetry, narrative, gospels, etc.) An awareness of genre alerts us to what we can find in the text and how to interpret it.
2. What is the context? Knowing how a specific Scripture fits into the bigger context helps us avoid misinterpretation.
3. What is the application? Examining the author’s intention helps us understand how to apply the Scripture to our life.
One practical way to read and engage with God’s Word is the SOAP method. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer.
Here’s how you start:
S - Scripture
First, find a verse or passage of Scripture to read. You can refer to different translations of the verse to help you understand it better, such as the NIV translation. You may want to write the verse(s) in a notebook to help you remember. The more Scripture we read and retain, the more the Holy Spirit can remind us of the truth when we need it most.
O - Observation
Make a note about what you observe about the Scripture. Here are some questions to prompt your thinking: What stood out to you? What seems important? What is the genre, context, and author’s intent? Are you sensing a theme or pattern?
A - Application
James 2:20 tells us that faith without works is useless. When you read Scripture, pause and reflect on how you might apply it to your life. Some questions to consider: How is this verse relevant to your life today? How can you live out what you read? How does the verse point to Jesus or becoming more like Him?
P - Prayer
Use the Scripture as a template for prayer. For example, if the verse was about loving others, use your time of prayer to pray for God to help you love those around you. If the verse was about generosity, ask God to help you see every opportunity He wants you to give generously. If you want, you can write out your prayers. This can be helpful as you continue your faith journey because it gives you a way to look back on all the prayers God answered.
Where to start?
A study Bible includes helpful features such as study notes and excerpts to help you understand the Scriptures and apply them to your life. If you aren’t ready to invest in a study Bible, one free resource is an app called YouVersion, which enables you to read the Bible digitally, listen to it audibly, and complete reading plans. If you’ve never read the Bible before, start with the book of John to learn about the life of Jesus.
How to Study the Bible
Divine Direction
Introduction to the Christian Faith
Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God
For more Old School Series resources, click here.