How Do I Read The Bible?
Here is a simple outline for how you can engage in reading each day:
* Pray that God will reveal to you what his Word has to say to you and that his word will change you.
* Read the text …
* What does the text say?
* What does it mean?
* What in the text is speaking to your heart and getting your attention?
* What will you keep thinking on or processing for the rest of the day?
* Pray through the scriptures, pray for your day, and bring specific requests before the Lord.
A simple acrostic to help you stay focused in prayer: ACTS
-- Adoration: Adore God for who he is, his character
-- Confession: confess sins of commission and omission,
-- Thanksgiving: give thanks in all things,
-- Supplication: bring specific requests to him.
Silence… Psalm 46:10; Psalm 37:7; Psalm 62:5
It is in silence that we experience the mystery of relationship with God; we discover his voice, new joys and new confessions. It is a difficult discipline and it is a choice, we must choose silence over the business of our lives and culture.
Solitude and Prayer… Matthew 14:23
It was important for Jesus to withdraw from the crowds and his disciples to be alone and it is very important to you. This is not a daily routine, but we need to consistently make time to be alone, to withdraw. Solitude is needed for resetting the compass in our life.
Submission… Genesis 1: 26-27; Philippians 2: 9-11
God is sovereign creator; he has fearfully and wonderfully made you. You are owned by him and accountable to him. Obedience - Submission to him is a natural outflow of our relationship with him. You submit to what he reveals in his scripture, in your silence and solitude and we obey him. You must believe that the very things that he demands of you are the things that will satisfy the deepest longing in our souls and are for our good and enjoyment of him.