Making The Bible Come Alive
In the video above I read a story found on Luke 24 about two men on the road to Emmaus. I go verse by verse and describe the process I use when I read stories in the Bible (biblical narratives).
Watching the video I realized I did not pray on screen. I wish I had because prayer is a crucial first step and it makes all the difference. I always pray before reading the Bible, but I failed to do it out loud in front of the camera.
Some of the approaches I find helpful is asking myself the following questions.
What does this story teach me about God?
What does this story teach me about humanity/myself?
Is there a principle at play here that goes beyond this specific event and could be applied more broadly?
Why is this specific detail included?
I don’t always know the answer to all these questions. Some I discover as I study further, some I still don’t know, but the act of asking these questions causes the story to come alive. Asking these questions makes me slow down my reading, reflect on the content, and ponder the insights it reveals.
If you’re just starting to read the Bible for yourself congratulations! It is not easy to read the Bible, but it is so worth it. The more you read the Bible, the more you become familiar with God and some key themes begin to stand out. Don’t get discouraged, keep reading, it. With time and practice it gets better and you begin to gain insights that go beyond surface-level information.
If you have been reading the Bible for years. Try to set aside your preconceived notions of what the text says and actually read it for what it says. Try to read it with fresh eyes. Allow the biblical text to challenge previously held beliefs. Prayerfully ask God to reveal to you what He would like for you to take away from the Scriptures.
Journaling
I also find journaling helpful. I keep it simple and write down the main idea or the lessons I take away from a specific verse or verses or even a whole chapter, depending on how much time I have.
Let me know in the comments what are some of your favorite approaches to reading the Bible and that you have found helpful in your personal Bible study.
