Why don't you read your Bible? (Full Version)

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SusieD -> Why don't you read your Bible? (6/16/2008 12:17:00 AM)

I once stated on another message board that most Christians don't read their Bible and was totally blasted.

But I honestly think that is true. I talk to Christians all the time who are very ignorant about what the scriptures say.

Many Christians read their bible occassionally or in very small doses.

When you are only reading a few verses a day or a few chapters a day I don't think you will really understand and grow. You don't see the whole context of scripture and you end up proof-texting as a result.

It really saddens me that Christians often know so little about what the Bible teaches because most of what they know is heresay...they are taught by someone who was taught by someone who was taught by someone else.

Last summer we were hosting a Bible study at our home. The attendees were all Christians. The person leading us through the study was taking us through the book of Mark at a pace that was about as slow as Molasses. We only had to read a few verses a week...I don't even think we were covering a chapter a week. Almost no one read the verses before the study. In a whole week they coudn't get through a few verses!! It was astounding. Once I suggested that we all read Galatians and talk about it the next week...you should have seen the "are you crazy?" looks that I got!

What's the big deal. It's super short...I read it at least once a week, sometimes more. It's not a novel, it's a simple, short letter. Most of the NT epistles can be read in one sitting and that's how they should be read. If someone sent you a letter would you just read a few lines a day until you finished? By the time you got to the end you might forget what the beginning said...thus you have no context.

It is hard to hide the word in our heart if we don't read it! I read through the NT every month (although I rotate through the gospels, reading a different one each month) and I get throught the OT about 3 times a year. A wonderful benefit of this is that I have memorized much of the NT without any effort.

I would really like to discuss this issue and I hope no one gets offended.



CherishedbyGod -> RE: Why don't you read your Bible? (6/16/2008 12:40:57 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: SusieD

I read through the NT every month (although I rotate through the gospels, reading a different one each month) and I get throught the OT about 3 times a year.



Sigh.....[&:]



SusieD -> RE: Why don't you read your Bible? (6/16/2008 12:46:39 AM)

And I realize that some might see this as bragging and I thought about that when I posted. However, since no one here knows me and I have no relationship with anyone here (either irl or on-line) I don't think it really qualifies as bragging. I am basically an anonymous person posting this.

Anyway, the reason I posted that was to share a little about the program (and I know it was very little!) that I use to read the Bible. I am hoping it will spur someone on...not cause people to get defensive.



Roberta_ -> RE: Why don't you read your Bible? (6/16/2008 1:00:04 AM)

I try to read through the entire Bible at least 1.5 times a year. Sometimes I do more, sometimes less.



phyl2 -> RE: Why don't you read your Bible? (6/16/2008 1:36:56 AM)

On the other hand, a person can miss a lot of detail when they read through so quickly.

I know I learned a lot more in a Bible study group that studied a few verses or paragraphs at a time than I did in another group that covered the whole Old Testament in a few weeks.



Roberta_ -> RE: Why don't you read your Bible? (6/16/2008 1:39:44 AM)

I think that part of what Susie might be getting at is that we Christians have a lot of time to do a lot of things, but not much time for Bible reading.



makarizo -> RE: Why don't you read your Bible? (6/16/2008 6:57:00 AM)

one of my best friends is a full time father of 2, his wife has epilepsy, he works a full time factory job, helps his father in law take care of his farm. any free time is spent with the kids, and then when they go to bed he spends that time in his shop.
he was upset because he didn't feel he was spending enough time reading the bible.... he never was a very good reader.....so I went out and got him the bible on CD. it was the mountain mover for him.... he listened to it in his shop, in the truck on the way to work, in the morning at breakfast.



phyl2 -> RE: Why don't you read your Bible? (6/16/2008 3:28:52 PM)

quote:

I think that part of what Susie might be getting at is that we Christians have a lot of time to do a lot of things, but not much time for Bible reading.


There is a point to be made that many Christians don't make time to read their Bible. But, Susie specifically said:

quote:

When you are only reading a few verses a day or a few chapters a day I don't think you will really understand and grow. You don't see the whole context of scripture and you end up proof-texting as a result.


and

quote:

It is hard to hide the word in our heart if we don't read it! I read through the NT every month (although I rotate through the gospels, reading a different one each month) and I get throught the OT about 3 times a year. A wonderful benefit of this is that I have memorized much of the NT without any effort.


These quotes are what I was responding to. I wanted to make the point that a person can also miss a lot by reading through the Bible very fast.

A good study should include both reading through the particular book in one session, but then also going through a verse, or even a phrase, at a time. You can't plumb the depths if you are just skiing over the top.



Bluethread -> RE: Why don't you read your Bible? (6/16/2008 6:47:51 PM)

Even some who read the Scriptures a lot don't get a clue. That, in my opinion, is why we are to teach them diligently to our children and talk of them all the time. Childen have a way of asking imbarrassing questions that point out our lack of understanding. Also, as iron sharpens iron so one man's countenance sharpens another. So, let the sparks fly.



Trinity_3persons -> RE: Why don't you read your Bible? (6/16/2008 8:23:05 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: SusieD

Last summer we were hosting a Bible study at our home. The attendees were all Christians. The person leading us through the study was taking us through the book of Mark at a pace that was about as slow as Molasses. We only had to read a few verses a week...I don't even think we were covering a chapter a week. Almost no one read the verses before the study. In a whole week they coudn't get through a few verses!! It was astounding. Once I suggested that we all read Galatians and talk about it the next week...you should have seen the "are you crazy?" looks that I got!


I not only believe that, but I can also imagine the look on their faces for someone sugguesting that the group all participate and change their routine a little and do some extra reading.

quote:

ORIGINAL: SusieD
What's the big deal. It's super short...I read it at least once a week, sometimes more. It's not a novel, it's a simple, short letter.


This is quite true. It isn't very long at all! Galatians only has 6 chapters and the longest chapter only has 31 verses. Some people will read a 500 page novel in a week. Galatians is only 3 pages (in my Bible).

quote:

ORIGINAL: SusieD
Most of the NT epistles can be read in one sitting and that's how they should be read. If someone sent you a letter would you just read a few lines a day until you finished? By the time you got to the end you might forget what the beginning said...thus you have no context.


Again, true: most of the NT epistles are very short and can most likely be read in one sitting. Also the last 10 books (or so) in the Old Testament are also very short and could most likely be read in one sitting. Also, I like Susie's reference she made about reading a letter from someone (we) know.

quote:

ORIGINAL: SusieD
It is hard to hide the word in our heart if we don't read it! I read through the NT every month (although I rotate through the gospels, reading a different one each month) and I get throught the OT about 3 times a year. A wonderful benefit of this is that I have memorized much of the NT without any effort.



I commend you, Susie, for reading the Lord's Word as much and as often as you do. That is great! =) I'm sorry to say that I can't say the same for myself and I continuely rebuke myself for it. I'm not including this to use as a crutch nor as an excuse but I have a learning disability which does make it harder for me to read (not just my Bible but anything else I read) when I do get to read. There are other people whom also have learning and/or reading disabilities. I still realize that regardless of whatever disability or difficultly that I have reading (and learning), it should not keep me nor hinder me from reading God's Word and I admit to this short-coming in this area of my life.



Trinity_3persons -> RE: Why don't you read your Bible? (6/16/2008 8:28:19 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: SusieD

I once stated on another message board that most Christians don't read their Bible and was totally blasted.


Oh, and Susie... I think that one reason you received that reaction was possibly not only because they (Christians) felt offened, but also because they may have felt convicted and guilty for not reading the Bible faithfully. That is just a thought I had.



MrFribbles -> RE: Why don't you read your Bible? (6/16/2008 8:33:48 PM)

Different people learn in different ways. Personally, if I read more than a chapter of Scripture a day, I will not retain much of anything. I begin to forget what I started reading by the time I finish, and so the place where I began becomes unprofitable for me.
In a biblical interpretation class (as in, college class) I took last year, we would spend the whole class time (3 hours a week) looking over a single passage, usually no more than 10 verses (a single narrative or poetry unit). Heh, sometimes we wouldn't finish our discussion of the passage in question that week, and continue working on it even longer the next week. It was wonderful. We saw things in the text that a cursory reading simply did not reveal.
In the same way, I feel that perhaps your fellow Bible study members did not want to read through all of Galatians, not because they couldn't read the book, but because they felt it might be too much for a single week's discussion.

I'm not saying that your style is wrong, Susie, but I am saying that it's not right for everyone. The reading of God's word is not a race - He doesn't hand out prizes on who can read the most in the shortest amount of time. Rather, He wants us to learn about, study, meditate on and live out His word, and that's done through understanding it. If your reading style helps you do that, then I'm glad! That's fantastic! But it's not the best style for everyone. For some folks, slow and steady wins the race.



FaVored -> RE: Why don't you read your Bible? (6/16/2008 8:42:36 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: SusieD


What's the big deal. It's super short...I read it at least once a week, sometimes more. It's not a novel, it's a simple, short letter. Most of the NT epistles can be read in one sitting and that's how they should be read. If someone sent you a letter would you just read a few lines a day until you finished? By the time you got to the end you might forget what the beginning said...thus you have no context.

It is hard to hide the word in our heart if we don't read it! I read through the NT every month (although I rotate through the gospels, reading a different one each month) and I get throught the OT about 3 times a year. A wonderful benefit of this is that I have memorized much of the NT without any effort.

I would really like to discuss this issue and I hope no one gets offended.


You make some very interesting points.
Just curious if you have an actual schedule for any of your monthly readings. I have been doing the bible in a year and with school and my schedule, I benefit from having something to check off my progress.

I believe that we should read the bible, and do slow studies separate. The slow study helps me memorize and look up specific cultural settings



SusieD -> RE: Why don't you read your Bible? (6/17/2008 12:01:02 AM)

Wow, So many responses! I will try to respond to all, I apologize if I miss anyone.

Doer: The Bible on CD is great! I prefer reading myself because that is more my style. But my husband has a hard time reading…mind wanders and such. He has an hour commute each day to work and listens to the Bible during his travel. It has been really helpful to him. I also enjoy reading out loud to him in the evenings sometimes.

Phyl2: I understand what you are saying and I don’t disagree. There is a place for both serious reading and serious study! I do both. For my everyday reading I read in large chunks spending anywhere between half an hour to 2 hours reading. The benefit to this is you can understand the context so much better and really see the big story. But when I want to study a topic then I will go through and study the verses that pertain to that topic and often study the Greek/Hebrew also.

However, being familiar with the whole of scripture gives you so much more context to understand when you are studying different topics, if that makes sense.

quote:

A good study should include both reading through the particular book in one session, but then also going through a verse, or even a phrase, at a time. You can't plumb the depths if you are just skiing over the top.


I absolutely agree with this. However, I don’t think that reading large chunks of scripture is necessarily equated to “skiing over the top”. Especially when you end up reading it over and over…it naturally causes you to go more in-depth each time. You become so much more familiar with scripture just because of the frequency that you are reading. So you are able make connections. When you read a passage in Ephesians, you will remember a correlating passage in 1 John for example. It really brings so much to your understanding of scripture. And reading so frequently helps you really hide the word in your heart.

Trinity_3persons: Thanks for your kind words and your encouragement! Have you tried listening to the Bible on cd? Or perhaps you could find it somewhere on-line where you can listen.

quote:

I'm not saying that your style is wrong, Susie, but I am saying that it's not right for everyone. The reading of God's word is not a race - He doesn't hand out prizes on who can read the most in the shortest amount of time.


mcfribbles: I am not saying it is a race, and I understand everyone has different learning styles and challenges. But I think too many just don’t even care. They don’t make it a priority.

FaVored: No, I don’t have any sort of schedule for my reading. First of all I will say that I am blessed to be a SAHM so I do have more time for reading than many people. I know not everyone has the time to devote that I do. I do understand that, but I think many just do not carve out enough time as they could.

I spend about 30-60 minutes each day reading out loud to my children.
I spend about 30-60 minutes for my own reading.
Sometimes I read to my husband in the evening…it is just a way we enjoy spending time together when we can carve out some quiet time for ourselves.

As I said I generally get through the NT about once a month and the OT about 3 times a year. I only read 1 gospel a month and rotate through them. I don’t read Revelation every month…only about 3 times a year. The reason I do that is because I don’t find it as practically relevant to my life as the other NT letters if you know what I mean. Some may disagree with that, I know.

For the rest, I have no set schedule…basically just whatever I felt led to read that day. Usually the longer books such as Romans, Acts, ICorinthians, etc. I break down and read over 2 days. But then I will read a several blocks of epistles another day…for example I will read 1-3 John and Jude all at once because they are so short. I will also read one or more OT books every month.

When I read out loud to my children I almost always stop along the way and emphasize certain passages that “call out to me” and do a little spur of the moment preaching/teaching as well. Sometimes we stop and work on memorizing a verse before we go on to finish the passage. Sometimes we will use a passage as a jumpstart to a unit study. That is really fun!!

I can’t tell you how reading the Bible this way has totally changed my life!



MrFribbles -> RE: Why don't you read your Bible? (6/17/2008 12:15:51 AM)

quote:

But I think too many just don’t even care. They don’t make it a priority.


Now that, I completely agree with. I go to a Bible college, and it shocks me how few members of the student body there have some kind of daily time reading Scripture (except, of course, when it's required in class, heh).



BibleL7 -> RE: Why don't you read your Bible? (6/17/2008 5:46:46 AM)

Trinity_threepersons it might be a good idea if you are married to have your spouse read to you from the Bible now and then. Or someone else you may spend time with. As for parents I think they can spend a little time reading perhaps one chapter at a time to their children each day seems like it would be much more of a quality time.

As to reading methods they will tend to vary I do not read as often as many claim to but then when I first read it I read it cover to cover which I have done several times(usually different versions) but one problem I see is more that people will not just once read the entire Bible. They read part and they dont understand something much because they have not read the OT through which holds the explanation.

As to the reading of the entire letter of Galatians for one week for a group that had been studying verse by verse very slowly many who are used to that type of study would think it way to long a study cause there is so much in that little book. I doubt that they were thinking of an overview study though I have also seen people who would not even look at text of a study and just want to have it explained to them rather than reading it over and studying the context and other Scriptures which apply to it.

Oh if you think you got blasted for suggesting people read the Bible be glad you did not suggest that they actually learn from it and go to it to get ideas of how to lead in a church. You would have gotten your post removed as well as any mentions of it.

Another thing I think you will find is that some people and let me stress some people just want to have the assurance that they said a prayer and wont be going to hell or they want to hear they are going to be blessed. The dont want to believe the truth in the Bible. Many will say they dont need to read the Bible it is a relationship not study. Yet they do not realize that part of having a relationship is getting to know the person and when that person wrote a book about Himself I would think it would be a good way to learn about that person.



wshepherd -> RE: Why don't you read your Bible? (6/17/2008 12:03:07 PM)

Reading the Bible has been a joy of mine since before I got saved. In fact, I read it through cover-to-cover twice before I became a disciple of Yeshua. I started out reading it through 4 times a year, and this was my preference for many years. I read 10 pages in the OT, and 5 in the NT every day. Out loud. Reading out loud really helps it "stick" in me, and I agree that reading this much really helps one memorize Scripture easily.

I've slowed down a lot in recent years, reading 5 pages a day, the OT on weekdays, and the NT on weekends. And now I am following a reading plan which covers only about 4-5 chapters a day.

There are benefits to reading a lot, and there are benefits to reading a little, and there are benefits to studying. It depends on what is happening in my life as to which method I use. But I do think that the shallowness and fad-following that is so prevalent in today's believers, is due to a lack of good ol' fashioned Bible reading and discussion.



JimboFletch -> RE: Why don't you read your Bible? (6/17/2008 12:24:10 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: phyl2

On the other hand, a person can miss a lot of detail when they read through so quickly.

I know I learned a lot more in a Bible study group that studied a few verses or paragraphs at a time than I did in another group that covered the whole Old Testament in a few weeks.

I would venture to say that you understood less than you thought. The Bible is a whole, not a handful of verses here and there.

I will grant you that a lot of detail might be missed reading from Genesis to Revelation, but each time I do it I discover things I've not seen before. Until I was in my early 20s, I'd never read the Bible through and was surprised at the greater clarity I had after my first time.

I'm a slow reader - I would dare to read the entire Bible in less than a year because not much stuck when I finished in 3 months. Maybe that's just me. But I think it's a shame if a believer hasn't read through the Bible at least once when the've been saved for 5 or more years - and it usually shows.



Focusing -> RE: Why don't you read your Bible? (6/17/2008 12:31:05 PM)

quote:

I read through the NT every month (although I rotate through the gospels, reading a different one each month) and I get throught the OT about 3 times a year.

I read my Bible ... just at a slower pace than you. I'm not a super fast reader, and the pace of my life doesn't allow me to spend huge amounts of time reading ... anything. Including emails from friends. I have an audio CD of the NT, but that still took several weeks to get through as I only have a certain amount of time to listen to it.

I guess what I'm saying is ... it's not about how quickly we can read through the Bible. And it's not about how many times a year we can read through the Bible. I personally believe God speaks to us as we read and take the time to study the Bible ... and if that means we are only reading a couple verses on a particular day, then that's the way it is.

A question posed in my Bible study last night may fit in with this discussion. It was discussing the differences in personalities between Paul and Barnabas, and it asked whether knowing the scriptures (reading through them often, knowing the words and having scripture memorized) is better ... or is the way we live our life - the fruit we bear as children of God - better?



JimboFletch -> RE: Why don't you read your Bible? (6/17/2008 2:07:59 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Focusing
A question posed in my Bible study last night may fit in with this discussion. It was discussing the differences in personalities between Paul and Barnabas, and it asked whether knowing the scriptures (reading through them often, knowing the words and having scripture memorized) is better ... or is the way we live our life - the fruit we bear as children of God - better?

If you don't do the first (read AND understand), how do you know how you're doing on the second (bearing fruit)?

I understand the Bible to teach that it is the Holy Spirit that reveals the scripture to us (another topic, I know) but He cannot accomplish that if we haven't given Him any material to work with. I don't anyone that has puttheir Bible under their pillow at night and read the Bible through osmosis.



Focusing -> RE: Why don't you read your Bible? (6/17/2008 2:49:04 PM)

LOL Jimbo ... learning a little at a time, and as we read and understand, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us, then we bear fruit through the process.

Something that came up during our discussion last night was just because someone reads their Bible doesn't mean they are exhibiting fruit. Not saying that's the case for anyone here, but each of us in the group have met people like this. It all comes down to a process, a combination of the reading, the understanding, and the influence of the Holy Spirit working in us ... one part of the equation does not make us whole.



Lufia -> RE: Why don't you read your Bible? (6/17/2008 6:20:37 PM)

For me it is kind of weird because i've been saved only about 3 months ago. The first day i gave myself to Jesus i learned by HS that i could not say anymore the name of the Lord in vain, which i used to do. It happened to me just like that. 3 days ago i learned that it is the 3rd commandment!!! I am reading the Bible now, but the HS is giving me lessons everyday and teach me faster than i can read the Bible!!!



Liveloved -> RE: Why don't you read your Bible? (6/17/2008 6:59:34 PM)

Very wise question, SusieD.

Proverbs 2 begins:
My son, if you will receive my sayings,
And treasure my commandments within you,
Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;
For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will discern the fear of the Lord,
And discover the knowledge of God.

If you will. . .then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. John 17:3

This is what God says in answer.



makarizo -> RE: Why don't you read your Bible? (6/17/2008 7:03:25 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: JimboFletch

quote:

ORIGINAL: Focusing
A question posed in my Bible study last night may fit in with this discussion. It was discussing the differences in personalities between Paul and Barnabas, and it asked whether knowing the scriptures (reading through them often, knowing the words and having scripture memorized) is better ... or is the way we live our life - the fruit we bear as children of God - better?

If you don't do the first (read AND understand), how do you know how you're doing on the second (bearing fruit)?

I understand the Bible to teach that it is the Holy Spirit that reveals the scripture to us (another topic, I know) but He cannot accomplish that if we haven't given Him any material to work with. I don't anyone that has puttheir Bible under their pillow at night and read the Bible through osmosis.

I will not 'say' how many times I have read my bible thru... almost double my age, I can win most bible trivia games I play.

but the experience is this:
Love has taught me more than the bible ever could have.
because of Love I produce fruit.
Love (not the bible) introduced me to the abundant life.
Love (not the bible) is my #1 communication with GOD.

Jesus said "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (Joh 13:35)


I observe (within the church) that the bible has been a wonderful tool for throwing metaphorical stones at people... a tool for acting self righteous, a tool for 'one upping' someone else... insulting someone. rejecting someone. (I know, another topic)

l will be the 1st one to encourage someone to read their bible (ask anyone who knows me).... but only if they want to. (why wouldn't they want to)

psalm 1 talks about the bible studier.....
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.


Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

people use this verse as a 'you are supposed to read the bible" verse. but in context it is a "you need to get out there and share your faith" verse.

(how can they believe if they have not heard)



Trinity_3persons -> RE: Why don't you read your Bible? (6/17/2008 11:54:14 PM)

SusieD, thanks for your sugguestion about my trying to listen to the Bible on CD. =) No, I have not tried it but I have a feeling that it would be more beneficial for me to actually read the Bible instead of trying to listen to it on a CD. My mind tends to wander as well and I'm not sure if I would hear and process the CD that I may try to listen to. I'll never know really unless I try, though. I know it wouldn't hurt to try and see how it works for me. Thanks for sugguesting it. =)

BibleL7, thank you for your sugguestion as well. =) I'm not married, but I hadn't considered asking someone whom I interact with to read the Bible out loud to me. This is something else that I will need to consider in addition to listening to it on a CD (or online). =)



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