Some Simple Practices when Reading Scripture
Here are some ideas on simple and intentional practices you can add to your Scripture study.
Some are focused on prayer and others are ways to bring more attention to the moment of reading the Bible. Choose any of these that will help you and apply it to your Scripture practice.
Scripture before… - A great custom is to set your time of being in the Bible before something that you do daily. It can be before you turn on your phone // before you eat // before you start work // before you turn on your car // etc. Setting a simple rule like this does two things. First, it reminds us that God has the first word. If we read Scripture before we check our phones, we are reminded daily that God has the ultimate authority and voice in our lives. Second, it is a very practical way to build the habit of reading scripture daily.
Memorizing Scripture - Setting Scripture to memory is a tool that helps the words sink deep into our minds and souls. When Jesus was in the wilderness being tempted by satan he used Scripture as a defense. We must have the word of God (Jesus) and the words of God (the Scripture) written on our hearts.
Listening to Scripture - Some of us are audible learners and should embrace listening to Scripture. Scripture would have been listened to by the majority for all the years before printed text was accessible. Two apps that have audible versions of the Bible are the YouVersion Bible app and the Streetlights Bible app.
Journaling - Sometimes we can rush our Bible reading. A way to slow down is to partner journaling with our reading. We can journal what God was teaching, we can copy the text, we can answer specific questions, etc. Whatever it is, when we bring out a pen and begin to journal it will slow us down to be more attentive to the word.
Praying Scripture - The hope of reading Scripture is for the word to come to life in us and through us. This starts with prayer. Write prayer cards that have specific passages to pray over yourself and others. Rewrite certain passages for the context of what you are praying and allow the word and these prayers to reshape your heart to God’s desires.
Reading Long Passages - When we read books like 1 and 2 Corinthians, we must remember that they would have always been read as a whole. We can set a rhythm where we embrace reading entire books of the Bible in one sitting. For example: once every 2 months you can set aside an hour to read a book of the bible. This will bring us to notice nuances in the books that would only be seen if read as a whole.
Try one of these practices or come up with your own. The hope is that reading scripture does not get put into a box, but rather that the Scripture would come to life as we embrace practices that bring us to awareness of God.
