There are four recommended methods for reading the Bible.

The first and really seldom used, but the most useful:

Read it by books

The books of the Bible were written either to individuals or groups of people. When the intended audience received the materials, they did not use the hunt and peck method of reading the important communication from God. No! They read the materials at once, at one sitting.

Get the context

The same way you would do if you received a letter from a loved one. You are going to read the communication all at once. In that way you will be able to get the context of what your loved one was conveying to you.

The books of the Bible should be read in their entirety. This way you will see the context of the Information God is trying to get into your mind. You will be less likely to take the text out of its context.

A text without a context is a pretext.

Do not open the Bible at random and hope you will find something for the day. This method is better than nothing I suppose, but not much.

A dangerous method

Do not open the Bible at random and hope you find something for the day. Actually this is a very dangerous method to employ. It is dangerous for your spiritual life. You will not be getting the true meaning of the message, and sometimes it could be exactly the opposite of what your need, and just what the devil needs to discourage you into thinking, that the Bible is just trivial. It is not God’s fault but a destructive method of Bible reading. If you read the Bible book by book, the context will be clear and the true meaning of the word will be evident to you.

Familiarize yourself with the purpose and theme

Familiarize yourself with the purpose and theme of the book before you under take its study. This is where Bible study tools come into play. If the date, audience and purpose of the book are not in the Bible you are using, there is plenty of Bibles study tools listed in a later chapter. Once you locate one that is handy to you, make it apart of your study. But never read books about the Bible instead of reading the Bible itself.

The most useful and productive way to get started

This is a systematic and almost fool proof way to get to make the books “yours” is to read the entire book everyday for thirty days. This method is used for books containing six chapters or less. Most of the epistles can be read this way with great gain to you. By the thirtieth day the book will be “yours”. You will “know” the book. Caution: For background and context read the New Testament through once before using this method.

Read the Bible according to your need

God will often meet you in your need, especially if you sincerely seek him. Your need will often determine what you read and when. It is not selfish to seek God for your needs. If you are seeking assurance of a personal problem, look to your Bible tools, find the passage that applies to you and read those passages for three days.

Do you need assurance about your salvation?

Read a relevant passage such as 1. John every day for 30 days. After this period, examine you assurance in light of your new knowledge. Read it with a pen and paper in hand.

Makes notes

Try to discover as many promises and commands as you possibly can. Put pen to paper and try to determine what God is trying to tell you.

To every command there is a promise!

Read the whole Bible, not just part of it

Everyone without exception should read the Bible through, starting with the New Testament. Again this will be enlarged upon later. Let it be said here however, that you can employ several methods at once.

Being consistent in Bible reading

Your Bible reading life is not the problem

Consistent in one’s life and habits means be dependable. Be even in your actions and thoughts. Have invariables about your approach to life.

In essence, if you want direction in your life, then you must take control of your consistent actions. It is not what we do once that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently.

Your Bible reading life is not the problem

But your attitude about reading. Many Christians have gone down the tubes because of their attitude toward reading the Bible. Failure to grow in God can often more times than not be traced to the problem of attitude. This will contribute to inconsistency in daily devotional lives. Proper attitude is essential to study the Bible on a daily basis. Be consistent, and keep fresh and filled with the Holy Spirit.

Discipline

The only discipline that last is self discipline

Self-discipline is the hallmark of success. Self discipline is not the hallmark of this present age. You need to practise self discipline in your Bible study.

The life that Christian seeks can be achieve, if he would discipline himself to the daily Bible reading, and the implementation of God's principles into his life. All of us can be fulfilled Christians if approached in a proper manner. The potential is yours as a gift from God.

What will you do with it?

If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23).

To put it another way:

Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat—I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you?

If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I'm leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn't, you realize, pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:23-27)

Lots of people had their interest peaked by the appearance of Jesus in their lives. Did it change them? Did they let Him be in the drivers seat?

The Bible said "many believed on Him." What do you hear of them? Not much. A few took the first steps to "come after Him."

However they were not consistent.

Tough times came and they went. They returned home. Some said, "We want to be your disciples," but only twelve stayed with Him as disciples. Some 120 more stayed on also but not as disciples. Has the thought ever occurred to you that the word "disciple" is similar in meaning to "discipline".

To follow Christ is costly

In the end it will cost every thing you have and then some. It will be the sum total of all your effort and resources. There is no such thing as an half heated Christian. It is all or nothing with Christ. There is a cost involved in spiritual growth and maturity. It takes time and effort to learn about God's principles from His Word and the submit all of your life to them.

Self-discipline

Read the Bible when you feel like it...

... and read when you don't!

It would be unrealistic to suggest that every morning when you awake 15 minutes early, your brain will be 100% "on" and you will be eager to get into Bible reading. There will be mornings like that, and there will be some when you awake feeling like the rapture occurred and you have been left behind, particularly if you are a late night worker.

But don't give in to the lackadaisical suggestion your mind offers that:

• • "if you don't feel like doing it, you won't get much out of it," or
  • "it's better to wait until you have a hunger for Bible reading," or
  • "you have to be in the right mood to receive a blessing."

These are all lies of the devil or our deceitful mind!

If you wake up feeling drowsy or "dead," take a shower and get dressed before your quiet time. But put in your 15 minutes minimum reading time whether you feel like it or not! Some of the greatest quiet times I have had were when I prayed, "Heavenly Father, I feel lousy this morning and very honestly don't even want to read your Word. Forgive my carnal attitude, and open my mind that I may see wonderful things in your Word today, Amen."

Years ago I heard a preacher say:
"Read the Word (Bible) when you feel like it and when you don't feel like it, read until you do."

You will find that as you read, your "feeling" will gradually change and you will get a special blessing from His Book.

Make a sacred vow with God

Ordinarily making a vow to God is not a wise ting to do, because of your own inconsistent habits.

4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. 5 It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. 6 Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, "My vow was a mistake." Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? 7 Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God.

Stated in another way:

4-5 when you tell God you'll do something, do it - now. God takes no pleasure in foolish gabble. Vow it, then do it. Far better not to vow in the first place than to vow and not pay up.

6 Don't let your mouth make a total sinner of you. When called to account, you won't get by with "Sorry, I didn't mean it." Why risk provoking God to angry retaliation?

7 But against all illusion and fantasy and empty talk there’s always this rock foundation: Fear God! (Ecclesiastes 5:5).

These passages leave the door open.

IT doesn’t forbid a vow; only do not make your vows meaningless to yourself and to God by non performance on your part. Because it is absolutely essential to maintain a daily study of the Word, a QT, that is the quiet time, this may be the one you want to make. But do not make it lightly. If you make it, be consistent and do it. It all boils down to this: Never miss a daily time with God in prayer and Bible study.

Have you learned to be consistent? Try this: No Bible no TV. OR No Bible, No Email. Or No Bible, no Computer. Put the Bible first over all that you consider essential in your life :)

If you are too distracted, busy, or need of realization are you too busy to get in touch with the Lord of the universe?

Refere to 12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

Stated in another way:

10-12 "But he knows where I am and what I've done. He can cross-examine me all he wants, and I'll pass the test with honors.
I've followed him closely, my feet in his footprints, not once swerving from his way. I've obeyed every word he's spoken, and not just obeyed his advice - I've treasured it.

Be what your vow is. Live your vow. It is the most important effort you can make

Exceptions not allowed

Do not let anything or anybody make exceptions. This includes yourself. . Make no exceptions. Be consistent. If you waver once it will be easier the next time and so on. Soon all that you intended to do will be a distant memory. Be consistent. Do not repeat your in consistency. The fundamental requirement in being consistence is the rule: No exception. "That first waver will be your downfall.

If you diet, you know this is a “must rule” If you program, you know this is essential componment of your efforts. If you do fitness training, you must apply these steps or fail.

Try it for one year. Vow to do nothing with your life for that way until and unless you read the Bible. Keeping this vow will change your life.