Are you struggling to connect with the Bible and find meaningful ways to engage with its teachings? You’re not alone. Many of us face the challenge of making the Bible’s ancient wisdom relevant to our daily lives. Don’t worry; we’re here to help.
In this blog, we’ll share 10 easy ways for you to engage with the Bible. It doesn’t matter if you’re new to reading scripture or if you’ve been doing it for a while. These methods are simple and can help you better understand the Bible’s wisdom while strengthening your faith. Let’s get started.
1. Read
Reading the Bible is really important. You can read a little bit or a lot, depending on what you like and how much time you have.
The Bible itself says reading is good. In Psalm 119:105, it says that God’s words are like a lamp to help you find your way. It’s like having a light to see where you’re going in the dark. So, reading the Bible can guide you in life, just like a light helps you in the dark. It’s a way to understand what God wants for you and how to live a good life. So, reading, whether it’s a small part or a big part, is a great way to connect with the Bible and with God.
Here are some tips to help you get started with reading the Bible:
- Start by reading small chunks of scripture, and then gradually complete whole chapters.
- Whether you like reading it silently or aloud, it is your choice. But take care that while reading it aloud, you don’t disturb others.
- While reading any verse, ask yourself questions as you read, such as, What does this passage mean? What does it say about God? How can I apply it to my life? It helps you engage with its context and motivates you to read more.
- Write down your thoughts and insights as you read. It helps you stay focused.
2. Meditate
Meditation means thinking deeply about a Bible verse or part of it. You read it, then read it again, and let the words really sink into your mind and heart. This allows you to better comprehend it and personalize it for yourself.
In Joshua 1:8 from the Bible, it says that we should keep talking about and thinking about the Bible all the time, day and night. This way, we can be careful to do what it says. It’s like when you think about something a lot, you remember it and do it better. So, meditating on the Bible is like keeping it in your thoughts all the time to help you live the way God wants you to.
Let’s make it easy for you here:
- Meditate on a verse or passage by reading and rereading it.
- You can also meditate by reading aloud, which helps with focus.
- Ask yourself the same questions as you did while reading it: What does this verse imply? What does it say about the Lord? Can I apply it to my life? If yes, who?
- Imagine yourself in the story and what it would be like to experience what the characters are experiencing.
- Pray about what you are meditating on.
3. Pray
Praying before and during the reading of the Bible is important. You can talk to God before you start reading. Ask Him to help you understand what’s in the Scripture. Say, “God, please help me understand what this means.”
While you’re reading, you can also talk to God about how you can use what you’re reading in your life. Say, “God, show me how to live this out.”
And when you find something meaningful in the Bible, thank God for it. Praying while reading the Bible helps you connect with God and get His guidance for your life. It’s like having a conversation with Him and learning from His words.
Let’s summarize it for you here in simple terms:
- Pray before starting to read or pray the scripture.
- Request that God assist you in understanding what you are reading.
- Ask God to help you apply what you are reading to your life.
- Thank God for what you are learning from the Bible.
4. Listen
Listening to the Bible is a good way to connect with it. You can use gadgets like your phone or computer to hear podcasts of someone reading the Bible to you. Many Bible apps have a feature where the words are spoken out loud.
Romans 10:17 in the Bible tells us that faith comes from hearing the word of Christ. This means that when we listen to the Bible, it can help us believe more in God and Jesus. Hearing the words can make them more real and understandable, just like talking to a friend in person helps you understand them better. So, listening to the Bible is a great way to engage with it and grow your faith.
Easy, isn’t it? All you need is discipline and dedication. Here are some additional tips for you:
- Find a Bible reading plan or podcast that works for you.
- Listen to the Bible while you are driving, working, or doing chores.
- Pay attention to what you are hearing, and ask yourself questions about what you are learning.
5. Study
Studying the Bible means going deeper to understand it better. You can do this by using special Bibles made for studying, by reading different versions of the Bible, or by learning more about specific things in the Bible that interest you, like people or topics.
2 Timothy 2:15 in the Bible says that we should work hard to show God that we can understand His word correctly. It’s like trying your best to do a good job so you won’t be ashamed. When you study the Bible well, you can better understand what it really means and how it applies to your life. So, studying helps you handle the truth in the Bible in the right way and live the way God wants you to.
Do you need some simple tips to keep your study of the Bible focused? Read these tips and try to implement them:
- Use a study Bible or try different translations.
- Choose a topic relevant to you or get to know a character.
- Look up words in a concordance or dictionary.
- Read commentaries and other resources.
- Ask questions and discuss what you are learning with others.
6. Share
Sharing what you learn from the Bible is a great way to connect with others and understand it better. You can talk about it with friends or in a group, and you can ask questions to learn more. When you teach or discuss the Bible, it helps you learn and grow.
Matthew 28:19-20 in the Bible says we should go and tell people in all the nations about God and Jesus. We should help them learn and follow what God wants. Sharing the Word means spreading the message of God’s love and teachings. When we share, we follow Jesus’ instructions and help others find their way to God, just like we did. So, sharing the Bible is an important part of being a believer.
Here are some tips that will help you engage with the Bible easily by sharing what you’ve learned from it:
- Read or share with someone else.
- Start a Bible study group.
- Write a blog post or devotional.
- Create a Bible art piece.
- Make a video about what you are learning from the Bible.
7. Hand copy
Copying the Bible by hand means writing down parts of it. This can help you remember and understand it better.
Deuteronomy 17:18-19 in the Bible talks about kings writing their own copy of the law. It’s like making a special book with the important rules from the Bible. This shows that writing by hand can help people remember and follow God’s teachings. So, when you copy the Bible, you’re doing something that’s been good practice for a long time – to connect with God’s word.
Here are the top benefits of using the hand-copy approach to engage with the Bible:
- This can be a slow and meditative process that helps you focus on the words and their meaning.
- It can also be a beautiful way to create a piece of art that reminds you of God’s Word.
8. Memorizing
Memorizing means learning Bible verses by heart. When you do this, you can remember them easily, and they stay in your mind.
Psalm 119:11 in the Bible says that the person has kept God’s words in their heart to avoid doing wrong things. This means memorizing Bible verses can help you make good choices and avoid sin, which means doing things against what God wants. It’s like having a little guide in your mind to help you live the right way. So, memorizing Bible verses is a helpful way to stay connected with God’s teachings.
9. Inductive Bible study
This method involves a systematic approach to studying the Bible, including observation, interpretation, and application of the text. Inductive Bible study helps you get a deep and clear understanding of the Bible, so you can live by its teachings and grow closer to God.
Observation
This means looking closely at what the Bible says. You pay attention to details, like who’s talking, what’s happening, and when it happened. It’s like really paying attention to the words.
Interpretation
After you observe, you try to figure out what it means. You might think about the historical context, the culture, and the language used. It’s like understanding the message behind the words.
Application
Finally, you think about how you can use what you’ve learned in your life. It’s like applying the lessons of the Bible to your daily life.
10. Exegesis
Exegesis is a more scholarly approach that involves analyzing the historical and cultural context, language, and original meaning of the text. It helps us find the true meaning of the Bible, so we can understand it better today.
Historical and cultural context
This means looking at what was happening in the world when the Bible was written. It helps us understand why things were written the way they were.
Language
Exegesis looks at the original languages of the Bible, like Hebrew and Greek. It helps us understand the exact words and their meanings.
Original Meaning
Exegesis tries to figure out what the Bible meant when it was first written. It looks at the time and place to understand the message better.
Wrapping Up
Using these easy ways to engage with the Bible can make your relationship with it better and help you have important experiences with Jesus.
Remember that the Bible is a living and dynamic book. It can help you in different ways as you go through your spiritual journey. So, don’t worry if one method works better for you at one time and another method works better at another time. Finally, we believe, it’s all about what helps you connect with God and His teachings.
Breath of the Spirit Internal Ministries, led by charismatic leader Dr. Michelle Corral, helps individuals engage with the Bible and connect with God through the Holy Spirit by offering weekly telecasts, podcasts, and teachings that emphasize the anointing, empowering believers to understand and apply the scriptures to their lives while seeking a deeper spiritual connection with God.
Visit the Breath of the Spirit now to help you engage with the Bible in a better way.
