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Post by Eric W. on Sept 11, 2016 14:04:39 GMT -5
So, this came up in another post and I just wanted to get everyone's opinion and suggestions, kind of gathered into one place. I have been on a journey to read the Bible, and I skipped Psalms as I was going through, and now I am backtracking to go back through it. My question is, how do you read/study the Bible? For instance, do you search for a topic? Do you flip through and stop on a page and start reading? Do you follow a specific reading plan? Do you take notes while reading, or journal after reading? Once I finish Psalms, I will have done my "overview" read thru, and plan to do a more focused study book by book. Honestly, I don't have a direction for that other than a desire. I have time as Psalms is a big book to go through. I just wanted to gather insight for my next step. If you don't currently have a reading plan, maybe this could help lead you, and others in a direction to get started. I don't carry a Bible around with me everywhere, but I seldom leave the house without my phone. So, I found, the YouVersion bible app to be invaluable. You can find it for either Android or Apple devices as well as a website interface if you are in front of an actual computer. Dr. appointments or something, stuck in a waiting room. Instead of a magazine, pull out the Word. Not to sound like an advertisement, but that helped me quite a bit. Thank you in advance for any suggestions. I pray each of you have a blessed day.  |
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Post by Adrienne on Sept 11, 2016 15:32:27 GMT -5
Hi Eric, I have a read the Bible in a year plan on the YouVersion app. I've actually been doing it since the beginning of last year, so you can see that I'm not overly dedicated!!! At first my plan was to really read it in a year, but then I modified it to just reading some every day. Now I've fallen out of the trend of even doing that but still have the plan as a guide to keep reading bit by bit with the goal of eventually reading the entire thing.
I personally don't necessarily search for topics/themes unless I really need something at that moment... I find that in the mix of readings that the YouVersion plan provides from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs, God usually has something special that speaks to my heart, so I don't have to go searching beyond what's already in the plan for the day.
As for journaling, I usually note verses that speak to me as I go, and then often that spins off into a longer reflection/prayer writing session once I finish.
And thanks for the suggestion about pulling out the word during free time. I recently cut my last tie with social media and have been trying to be more intentional about how I spend those odd moments of free time... I'll try to put your idea into action next time!
God bless you and may He guide you in this renewed desire to dig into His word! You've inspired me, brother!
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Post by Adrienne on Sept 11, 2016 15:34:58 GMT -5
One of my challenges is that in my degree program I have so very much to read as it is... upwards of 800-1000 pages a week, plus my teaching responsibilities, home life, and church time. It sometimes seems unfathomable to find even more time to read, but I know I need to get back into bite-size chunks. For that I really enjoy the Proverbs 31 First Five app: reading one Bible chapter and a parallel devotional in the morning. Now I just have to get myself back into the game and at least start doing that much everyday again!
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Post by Mary H on Sept 11, 2016 20:40:53 GMT -5
I do all of the things you asked! Lol mostly I just flip & He usually takes me to somthing that speaks right to me. If not I just read a random few chapters.
I try to always journal. If I have nothing to write about what I read, then I just write a update of what's been going on with me spiritually.
It's great to get any emotion out & also to have all of it laid out infront of you, you can better sort through it & learn/grow.
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Post by Sharon on Sept 12, 2016 10:15:02 GMT -5
All of the above here also. I think reading chronologically really helps to give perspective on Gods plans for Israel and for us as a whole picture. When I'm really needing encouragement though or a word from God, I may read a devotional or find a verse on my Facebook page and look up the verse and read that entire chapter. And yes I think journaling is extremely important. Something might not mean that much to you now and might make much more sense and mean more on a later date.
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Post by william on Sept 12, 2016 18:48:36 GMT -5
I have read the bible from cover to cover before & to me it did seem to give the view point from how God sees it. I also have the you version app and couldn't agree more with it value as you stated Eric.
Since I got back to God on a true intimate relationship, and thru my stand as I read books, devotionals and etc I have started and binder that has passages/verses divided into each section of the bible it falls in (i.e. Psalms, Job) & also have dividers with verses/passages re: circumstances (i.e. Loneliness, anger, etc) that way when I feel certain way I can go to my binder for quick reference & that will lead me to the words that give me strength.
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Post by Adrienne on Sept 12, 2016 21:03:09 GMT -5
I do the same type of thing, William, trying to "organize" God's word as it were to be able to easily find what I need in the moment. I like to color code so I use different color highlighters in my Bible... orange is God's instructions for our lives, and pink is for God's faith and love. Blue is for model people, good examples... Green is for God's words about the last days / second coming. And yellow is miscellaneous because sometimes you just can't quite categorize. :-D
I actually remember one occasion where you were feeling discouraged Eric and I was able to go through Psalms and find tons of verses about how God hears our prayers because I already had them highlighted in pink and marked with a note in the margin. It's a blessing to get more and more familiar with the word and all God has to say to us!
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Post by Sharon on Sept 12, 2016 21:11:47 GMT -5
You guys make me jealous lol! The best I have as far as notes is a long scrolling list of notes from sermons, devotionals, prayers, etc. I do have to say though that when I feel discouraged and open my notes, God always seems to point me to the right place!
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Post by Mary H on Sept 12, 2016 22:19:22 GMT -5
I love that Adrianne!!
I'm right there with you Sharon!! Lol
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Post by marissaa91 on Sept 17, 2016 11:28:44 GMT -5
Glad everyone posted about this! I love hearing about how others study the bible! I haven't actually studied in a while but when I do, I do one of two things. I will either read my devotionals (I have 3 or more at any given time) and let that be.
Or if I'm really trying to study, I read whatever book I'm on and break it down so I really understand it. For example, the last time I was reading Job. I would read only 3 chapters at a time. Once I read those chapters I would grab my journal and write down which chapters I read, who wrote that book, when it was written, and who it was written to at the top. That way I understand the context of the book. Then I read the footnotes for each chapter so that I can further understand before writing a summary of each chapter. After that I will write down a key verse(s) that stuck out to me in those chapters (actually write down word for word from the bible). Then I will write down the definition of any word(s) that need clarification or have multiple meanings. Then to close it all up I will write a summary of all 3 chapters and what I understood or got from reading it. Sounds like a lot but I promise you it's not lol it does make it easy though whenever I go back and read what I studied days or weeks before. I get a clear picture of those chapters.
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